Preparations for Martyrs' Day start

By Juliet Lukwago

The organizing committee for this year’s Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations has started renovations of Namugongo shrine. They have thatched the roof, sheltered the open altar at the Martyrs’ man-made lake.

The annual event, held on June 3, attracts thousands of faithful from around the region and beyond. This year, organisers expect up to a million pilgrims. Pilgrims are expected from countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Sudan, the DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Malawi.

With less than four weeks to the day, Lira diocese and central organising committee are working around the clock to finish up with the preparations. The Archbishop of Lira, Joseph Franzeli, will be the main mass celebrant.

Twenty two Catholic faithful were burnt alive on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda at Namugongo, Wakiso district on June 3, 1885 after they had refused to denounce their faith.

 Every year, Christians converge at the venue to celebrate their martyrdom. The martyrs were beatified on June 6, 1920 by Pope Benedict XV and on October 18, 1964, Pope Paul VI canonized them.
 
The church also celebrates the martyrdom of the blessed Daudi Okello and Gildo Irwa, who were catechists in the northern Uganda and were killed at Paimol in 1918.  The two were beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 20, 2002.