Uganda Martyrs awareness team storms Nsambya

trueBy Juliet Lukwago

The Catholic Church Uganda Martyrs awareness team dubbed in Luganda as “ekikungo ky’Abajulizi,”on Sunday attracted hundreds of Christians who gathered at St Peter’s Catholic Church gardens, Nsambya to listen to the stories of the 22 pages who became great martyrs of modern times.

The campaign that was launched at the Holy Family Catholic parish, Namayumba in Wakiso district last January is part of the story-telling campaign to make the Christians aware of the jubilee celebrations for the 22 Uganda Martyrs since they were canonized.

The climax of the Golden Jubilee is slated to be held on October 18 this year.

The campaign was geared towards explaining to the congregation who Uganda Martyrs are.

The team said that Uganda Martyrs were Christians converts who were killed for refusing discard their faith.

“The 22 Catholic Martyrs were canonized by Pope Paul VI on October 18, 1964 in Rome. Thus these Martyrs were recognized by the Worldwide Church as being worthy of being honored as Saints.” the team said.

trueKampala Youth Chaplain, Fr. Joseph Luzindana and Fr. Joseph Mukasa Muwonge, the promoters of the Uganda Martyrs in Kampala Archdiocese. Photo by Juliet Lukwago

The execution of twenty three Christians at Namugongo on June 3, 1886; was the climax of the battle against the converts. The last person killed in the crusade, was Jean-Marie Muzeeyi, who was beheaded at Mengo on Jan 27, 1887.

The awareness team was comprised of pastoral coordinator of Kampala Archdiocese Fr.  Dr. Mark Richard Ssajjabi, Fr Joseph Mukasa Muwonge the promoter of Uganda Martyrs in Kampala, Parish priest of Nsambya, Fr Achillies Kiwanuka.

Others priests were; Joseph Luzindana, Msgr. Charles Kimbowa, Fr Edward Lubwama, Fr Joseph Tebukooza, Fr Cyprian Masembe, Fr John Ferdinand Kibombo, two deacons, Martyrs guild secretary Matthias Ssuuna,Charles Kimbowa Junior and Revocato Kalema.

This is the fifth parish to be visited by the Uganda Martyrs team.

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Fr. Joseph Luzindana talking about Uganda Martyrs during the campaign at St Peter's Catholic Church at Nsambya. Photo by Juliet Lukwago