Nigeria archbishop celebrates Uganda Martyrs, decries persecution of Christians

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Archbishop of Nigeria Dr Henry Ndukuba has celebrated the faith demonstrated by the Uganda Martyrs, which according to him has turned out to be a great foundation of faith.

Drawing his sermon from Romans 12: 1, the bishop on June 3, 2024, asked Christians to present their bodies as a living sacrifice before he delivered greetings from the Christians of Nigeria.

"We bring you blessings from believers, your brothers and sisters of Nigeria. We are here on the invitation of our brother and friend, Dr. Kaziimba. We are grateful for the second visit since we were last here in March 2020 for ministry before the COVID-19 outbreak. We thank the president and his entire leadership for his support and peace that has enabled people to worship their God,” he said at the Anglican Site in Namugongo during the Martyrs' Day commemoration.

Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Dr Stephen Kaziimba invited Ndukuba as the guest preacher at the Anglican site as the Church marks the 2024 Martyrs Day.

He thanked God for the 45 Uganda Martyrs from both Anglicans and Catholics and the opportunity for the Church of Nigeria to take part in this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations. He asked Christians to emulate the martyrs because they did not forsake their faith.

“The Church in Uganda is because of God's holy word and also on the sacrifices of those who were killed for their faith in God. I have been shocked by the many people who have travelled long distances to come here and worship God. The reward for sin is death, but the strength of God is seen in righteousness,” he said.

He equated the Uganda Martyrs to the Biblical believers Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:8–30 who chose to be thrown in the Lake of Fire rather than denounce God.

“If you want to do all while disobeying your spirit, it means you’re walking to this place for nothing. It does not count well, to walk all the distances and in the end, you miss heavenly,” he said.

God still the same today

The reward of sin is death: The sin of homosexuality is the one that led to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The same God has never changed, it is the same God.

Ndukuba added: “I am happy that the Church of Uganda is leading the way in fighting the dubious acts against our faith. A man cannot marry a fellow man, God doesn't want that. True righteousness is only in God”.

He reiterated that God’s Church remains strong and many people are all over serving God with commitment despite veiled attacks.

Ndukuba regretted that the Church in Nigeria was being persecuted including the burning of seminaries and Bible societies highlighting an incident when he was attacked a few days after his wedding.

“The prelate emphasised that life is not in material things, but in the name of Jesus Christ. We shall go back with nothing. I want to inform the pilgrims here that the Martyrs lacked nothing, but they chose to give their lives to Christ. When you have Jesus Christ, you have everything,” he said.