Thousands Throng Namugongo Shrines

THOUSANDS of pilgrims from many parts of the world yesterday converged for prayers at Namugongo, on eastern Kampala outskirts, for the annual Martyrs Day to remember the commitment of more than 20 fresh Ugandan Christian converts executed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga in the late 1880s, reports Alfred Wasike.A ululating Vice-President Speciosa Kazibwe, welcoming in “Kisoga style” the exhausted but enthusiastic pilgrims gathered for several days around a mini- grass thatched Basilica set on a small lake at the Catholic martyrs shrines, described the bravery of the young Christians of the 19th century as “a celebration of dedicated leadership.” Despite the tight security around the sprawling shrines, there was a roaring trade in alcohol.There was also brisk trade in soft drinks, food and Martyrs Day souvenirs like hats. The pilgrims and traders braved a scorching sunshine, dust and later dark rain clouds that produced a drizzle.In a lengthy homily, Bishop Willigers of Jinja Diocese, spoke out against the genocide in Rwanda, instability in the DR Congo, the civil war in the Sudan, abduction of children from Uganda by Joseph Kony’s LRA rebels, corruption in Government and public life.“Where are we heading to? I know someone who could be a martyr. She is a Munyarwanda, Felicity Niyetegeka, who was killed by the interahamwe for hiding Tutsi refugees. There are problems in the DRC, Sudan”, he lamented.“Kony is busy abducting our children. Government is busy making promises that the insurgence will end soon. And it is not ending. The moral fibre of our people is being sapped in the so-called protected villages despite persistent calls by religious leaders to allow people go back to their homes,” Willigers said.Ends