Namugongo shrine near completion

By Christopher Bendana

It is a beehive of activity at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo as engineers and builders work hard to complete the shrine before the Pope’s arrival.

Virtually every inch of space behind the iron sheet fence has some activity.

According to Rev. Fr. Vincent Lubega, the rector of Namugongo Shrine, the rains are not disrupting the construction.

He says: “Give us two weeks,” hinting that the works are near completion.

The Pope will visit Uganda from November 27 – 29 and it is hoped many of the units including the pavilions, altar, and lake will be completed by then.

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The valley pavilion

Valley pavilion

At the main Basilica, aluminium cladding is being done on the rooftop. However, the seats inside the church are yet to be fixed. Workers are in the process of painting the glazed metal casements.

Close to the Basilica is a three-storeyed priests’ house. The valley pavilion seats are already in position and spaces filled with grass have been created. The constructors will also provide space for people with mats.

Lubega says each pavilion will host 2000 guests. One will be for VIPs and the other for the clergy.

One pavilion behind the altar will seat 2,600 priests. This three storeyed pavilion has a basement at the rear facing the gardens.

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Builders constructing one of the grotto

Basement

The basement has conference halls, the second floor has the washrooms and sanitary areas with the pavilion at the top facing the altar above the lake. There is also a dressing room for the pope.

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Guests from Vision Group and other institutions during a visit to the Shrine

Lake

The lake will be supported with a retention wall reinforced with stones.

Away from the lake, 25 grottos are under construction, one for each of the 24 Catholic martyrs, and a general one.

At the extreme end of the gardens above the priests pavilion, a fountains and pond have been constructed. Here pilgrims will take clean water. Previously, pilgrims would get water from the lake, but its hygiene was questionable.

There will also be a museum which will showcase culture and faith of Uganda.

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Construction of the Catholic Basilica at Namugongo shrine

Sanitation

On sanitation, nine toilets have been built. They are spread across the complex at strategic points. There are toilets for all some of which are designed for people with disabilities.

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Toilets nearing completion

High expectations

Betty Namatovu, the parish executive, says though Christians have been displaced and inconvenienced during the construction process, the new Namugongo will be a big blessing.

“It will be a new Namugongo. The place will be more beautiful although the design is not changing,” she says.


The lake area



One of the structures near the lakeside


Grottos to be used for martyrs’ sculptures and information