Museveni unveils sh36b Namugongo Martyrs' Museum

Oct 06, 2014

PRESIDENT Museveni announced a donation of sh400 million towards the construction works of the facility out of which he paid sh40 million

By Vision Reporter

 

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni on Sunday unveiled the foundation stone and launched the fundraising drive for the Uganda Martyrs’ Museum that is expected to cost sh36b. 

 

The President announced a donation of sh400m towards the construction works of the facility out of which he paid sh40m.  He said the remaining sh360m is to be availed in two weeks time. 

 

During the ceremony, sh510m was realized both in cash and pledges. 

 

The President auctioned the new Museum plan together with the portrait of the late Tefeno Kisosonkole, who donated the 48-hectre piece of land on which the Uganda Martyrs’ Anglican Church is seated. He bought it at sh 10m.

 

According to Ezekiel Luggya-Lwasi, who is the team leader for the project, some of the funds will come from the 34 Provincial Dioceses of the Church of Uganda and regular fundraising drives that will be held at the site of the where the Museum is going to be erected at Namugongo.

 

The Museum project which is expected to be complete in a period of 4 years will have 49 pillars depicting the number of Martyrs who were killed at Namugongo, a recreation centre, Police post, staff house, packing yard and a perimeter wall for security. 

 

President Museveni told the congregation at the site that the though Namugongo Martyrs’ shrine attracts thousands of people from all corners of the world every year who come to Uganda to pay their respects to the Martyrs, it would add value to the place if it is also used as source of revenue for the church.

 

“Apart from the faith, we can also make money. All these Africans and Europeans who throng here every year, come with money though I don’t know how much they came with,” he said.

 

Museveni observed that the culture of heroism and martyrdom is apparently part of Uganda’s society adding that the slaying of some peasants in Bulemeezi in Luwero district by late Basilio Okello as well as the killing of Archbishop Janan Luwum by the Idi Amin regime in the 1970s, have all become fertilized seeds of growth for a cause. It’s good for Christians to remember these,’’ he said.

 

The President called on the youth in Uganda to know and appreciate the past history of their country so that they are able to make a comparison and judgment from an informed factual point of view.

 

Speaking at the occasion, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace Stanley Ntagali appealed the Christians to emulate the example of the Uganda Martyrs and commit fully their faith in the church. 

 

He asked government partner with the church in building the Museum saying the facility would act as a tourist attraction for the country to the benefit of the church and government as well. 

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