Preparations for Uganda Martyrs day in high gear

May 23, 2019

This year, Gulu Archdiocese has been chosen to lead the forthcoming celebrations which are held on June 3 of every year at Namugongo.

Preparations for the celebrations of Uganda Martyrs Day 2019 are in high gear in Namugongo Martyrs Shrine.

The hosts, Gulu Archdiocese together with Uganda Catholic Secretariat are making final touches to see to it that the day goes well. 

This year, Gulu Archdiocese has been chosen to lead the forthcoming celebrations which are held on June 3 of every year at Namugongo.

The annual event commemorates the heroic 45 Catholic and Anglican martyrs, who were killed by burning and beheading for their faith at the hands of Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda between 1885 and 1887.

Of the total number, 22 were professing Catholicism while 23 Protestantism. 

The chairman of Gulu organizing committee and Vicar General of hosting Archdiocese, Msgr Matthew Odong told The New Vision after the general meeting at Namugongo Martyrs Shrine premises on Wednesday, that his committee will ensure that the celebrations are held in the most dignified, appropriate and deserving manner that gives God all the highest praise.

"We have different organizing committees at Archdiocesan level which are working together with the Kampala National organizing committee to spearhead this year's celebrations with utmost cooperation, coalition, coordination and harmony," he said. 

Odong also added that well-wishers are called upon to give an assisting hand as well as urging them to contribute generously towards the preparations of the occasion which always attracts millions of pilgrims from all over the world at both Shrines. 

 

 Some of the Security officers in a general meeting at Namugongo


"We still need money to fulfil the budget sh900m; bank account in Centenary Bank: Account name: ARCHDIOCESE OF GULU Namugongo Martyrs Celebrations 2019 Account number: 3100059093 and for those willing to offer any form of assistance can follow; MTN Services- Mobile money- *165*3# merchant code 142445, the amount of money you want to give and your pin code.

It will ask for reference (reason) type, Gulu Archdiocese and then click OK, the money will send directly to the account."

"We are proud that two blessed martyrs of the 24 Catholic Martyrs Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa hailed from Gulu Archdiocese," Odong said.

The meeting was attended by Secretary General of Episcopal Conference and overall chairman, Msgr John Baptist Kauta, Head of the laity in Uganda and chairman of protocol on the Namugongo Martyrs day organizing committee, Gervase Ndyanabo, priests, religious, UPDF, high commanders of Uganda Police led by SSP Michael Musani Sabila, the Kampala Metropolitan police commander, ACP Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander Denis Namuwoza, DPC from different Police Stations including Kakiri, Wakiso, Kiira, Nsangi, Mpigi and others.   

Furthermore, Kauta said that Uganda Martyrs Day has brought them together. "As Christians, we are proud of the Uganda Martyrs, I thank all the service providers and security teams for the good work they are doing."    

The martyrs' day program under the theme "Obey God always and everywhere" (Acts 4:19) starts on May 25 with a seven-day Novena.

Martyrs' trek is set for June 1 from Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine to Old-Kampala church where Matia Mulumba one of the Martyrs was killed.

The twenty-two Catholic Martyrs were beatified on June 6, 1920, by Pope Benedict XV. They were declared saints on October 18, 1964, by Pope Paul VI.

"We have different committees with responsible people who are ready to assist everyone, listen and work with them well," Ndyanabo said. 

 

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