Anglican program for Martyrs' Day out

With two weeks left to the Uganda Martyrs' Day celebrations, the organising committee of the Anglican shrine under the leadership of Bishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu of Mityana Diocese has released the programme for the day.

Kazimba said that the preparations for the celebrations of Uganda Martyrs' Day are already underway as Buganda region leads this year's celebration.  

He said the church will hold a special pilgrimage for children on May 26 and another one for youth the day after, as part of activities to celebrate the day. He added that there will be special sessions for men, women whether married or not and youth at Nakiyanja-Namugongo.

"All children from different dioceses are invited to attend this camp. This is their day to visit the shrine and they will be provided with free lunch. However we request that each child comes with sh1000 for visiting the Uganda Martyrs museum," he said.

On June 3 the service will be presided over by the Archbishop of Uganda, Stanley Ntagaali while the Archbishop of Kenya Jackson Ole Sapit, is expected to be the main preacher at the highly revered celebrations.

Kazimba said the church expects more pilgrims on the day, more than the persons who trekked to the celebrations last year.

"The ministry of health has secured ambulances for emergencies," Kazimba said.

He said the church took great pride in the martyrs as they were not only believers who the other worshipers can emulate but also a part of Uganda's heritage.

He added that preparations are going on well although they still have a deficit to plug in the sh1b budget. 

Kazimba said although some items like chairs, tents and mobile toilets were covered by the state minister for tourism while the government also promised to work on the water issue. He said they expect partners and well-wishers to help them so that they fill the gap to enable preparation in time.

However, the Bukuya MP and the chairperson of the health committee, Dr Michael Bukenya Yiga, revealed that the committee is working hand in hand with the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau, United Nations Children's Fund and the health ministry. 

Medical camps are organised in various places in the country to cater to people from different places; those from Jinja side will camp at Mukono Hospital, those from Masaka at Buwama in Mpigi district, Mityana at Kiweesa Church of Uganda, Gayaza at Church of Uganda, others they will be at the shrine's premises at Nakiyanja-Namugongo and those from Gulu and other parts will be at Luweero Cathedral. The ambulances will help with emergencies and several medical teams will be at private hospitals to cater to patients.  

"These camps will be open from May 27 to all people from different religions and villages who are free to go and get medical check-ups. We will check diabetes, high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS and other illnesses," Bukenya said.