We shall not allow Church House to be taken - Museveni

Jun 03, 2018

Today marks 132 years since the killing of Christian converts who were burnt for their faith. Every June 3, Christians throng to Namugongo to celebrate their martyrdom

I congratulate pilgrims. In the past, one would not know that majority of the martyrs were Anglicans. They thought they were Catholics.

When we declared June 3 as public holiday, Catholics took it up. I can see that even Anglicans are taking it up.

Today's preacher preached well and I was also happy. However, he talked more about Jesus and I want to talk more on Ceaser's. In the 1960s, most Christians said they were visitors in the world and they worked less since they were soon going.
I opposed that. My father was here for 96 years. So, really, a visitor for 96 years! What sort of visitor is that?

Religious people, much as we hope to go to heaven, we should have good life as we are still on earth. The bible says our bodies are temples of God. Now a body that has alcohol, adultery, poverty; what sort of temple is that? There is a big problem there.

You cannot light a lamp and cover it. You put it on a stand to give light to the place.

Where your preacher came from (USA), they chased poverty. Therefore, even here, we should chase poverty. I have talked about chasing poverty and I am happy to say it again. We have done a lot on this museum and we shall do more. However, I see the slope is high and someone could slide down. We shall do as we did at the catholic shrine.

I read in the newspapers that you are on tenterhooks, that the Church House could be taken. Worry not, it won't happen as long as I am still here. We started this job with the archbishop, there is no way this house can be taken by business people. Your brothers, the Catholics; we put about sh90b at the shrine. I want to thank the Church of Uganda for the work you have done on the Church House. We shall sort all the other issues.

Religious leaders attending service at the Anglican Shrine

Archbishop Stanley Ntagali welcomes President Museveni to the ceremony

President Yoweri Museveni accompanied by Janet arrive for the celebration. They are now at the Anglican Shrine Namugongo

Former prime minister Amama Mbabazi and current prime minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda and other ministers have arrived for the celebrations of Martyrs Day. Rugunda and Mbabazi are the lead organisers

The former president of FDc, Col. Kizza Besigye at Namugongo

Archbishop stanley Ntagali (left) and other religious leaders at Namugongo

Minister Esther Mbayo and the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga (second-left) at Namugongothe Anglican Shrine

Former Minister of state for Ethics & Integrity James Nsaba Buturo (second-right) and other officials attending Mass

A live band spiced up the ceremony

Christians brave the sun to attend prayers

Pilgrims looking through the glass house to view the grave of Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo. He was buried at the Anglican shrine in honour of his work in establishing the Uganda Martyrs Museum at the Anglican shrine. Several of the pilgrims say they will miss his jokes and loud singing during the martyrs day celebrations at the Anglican shrine

As the D-day set in

It is a chilly morning and the Christians are anxiously awaiting Mass

Banyakigezi dancing for the Lord during the celebrations of Martyrs day at Namugongo

It is all joy and happiness for the believers at Namugongo

Highlights at the Catholic shrine

The pilgrims are eager to get water from the pond that lies near the shrine. The water is special in the lives of the pilgrims.

The Uganda Martyrs are a group of 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic converts to Christianity in the historical kingdom of Buganda.

They were killed on orders of Mwanga II, the Kabaka (King) of Buganda. The deaths took place at a time when there was a three-way religious struggle for political influence at the Buganda royal court.

The Catholic Church beatified the 22 Catholic martyrs of its faith in 1920 and canonized them in 1964.

This year's Martyrs's Day celebrations will be led by the archdiocese of Tororo.

The celebrations at the anglican church will be led by Kigezi Diocese where Prime minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda and his predecessor Amama Mbabazi are the organisers.

And who were these martyrs?

Achilleus Kiwanuka

Adolphus Ludigo-Mukas

Ambrosius Kibuuka

Anatoli Kiriggwajjo

Andrew Kaggwa

Antanansio Bazzekuketta

Bruno Sserunkuuma

Charles Lwanga

Denis Ssebuggwawo Wasswa

Gonzaga Gonza

Gyavira Musoke