All holy, as Christians say glory to their father

By John Agaba

Pope Francis may not have been at Namugongo to preside over this year’s Uganda Martyrs celebrations. But, who cared? Certainly not the over three (3) million faithful who trekked from all over the world to pay tribute to the 45 Uganda Martyrs killed by Kabaka Mwanga in 1886.

They travelled distances, from Mombasa, Dar-es-Salaam, Kinshasa; some had even had to fly in — to really give a care in the world whether the prayers were graced by the Holy Father or not.

All that mattered was their faith, them paying tribute to their ‘fathers’ in religion, their symbol of faith. And that was what happened.

Pilgrims fetch 'holy' water from the man-made lake at Namugongo. PHOTO/Juliet Lukwago

Over 3million pilgrims thronged Namugongo martyrs' shrine in commemoration of the 45 men who died for their faith 130 years ago. PHOTO/Juliet Lukwago

As early as 6:00am, the entire ‘holy’ grounds at the Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine were congested with faithful yearning for the day’s prayers. There was not a path to pass, not a place to sit. It was colossal.

And by the time Bishop Giuseppe Franzelli from Lira diocese, who was the main celebrant, asked the pilgrims to The Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit to commence the prayers at 10:00am, it was mammoth.

(L-R) Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, Episcopal Chairman, Archbishop John Baptist Odama and Archbishop Lwanga during the procession at Namugongo. PHOTO/JULIET LUKWAGO

The Lira choir led the praise and worship to commemorate Martyrs, Day at Namugongo on June, 3, 2015. PHOTO/Juliet Lukwago

Bishop of Lira diocese, Joseph Franzeli who was the main celebrant on Uganda Martyrs Day at Namugongo on June, 3, 2015 receives offertories. PHOTO/JULIET LUKWAGO

Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi said there were over 3 million people inside the ‘holy’ grounds.

But that was not all. There were thousands still queuing, from the trading centre in Kwaliwajjara to the Shrine, just to get a snippet of the function.

Mass ended as thousands still queued. I don’t know whether they got the snippet or not.

Lira diocese choir led the celebrations. There couldn’t have been worthier songbirds. They chorused songs in Langi, Luganda, English and Runyakitara. And everyone, attending the prayers, joined them to give glory to God.

The Gospel from Saint Mathew said it all: Happy are the poor in Spirit, theirs is the kingdom of God. The masses were praising and singing and dancing for the kingdom of God.

Even after President Yoweri Museveni, who was the guest of honour, left midway through the prayers to join the fellowship at the Anglican Shrine, the charismatic youth chaplain Fr. Joseph Ruzindana could not let the mood dampen.

It was a true testimony of how it is supposed to be — when children of God gather to praise their master.

The mood was praise-worship and jovial; the weather sunny. There weren’t any “major crime incidences” reported, according to Kaweesi.

Stephen Asiimwe, the Uganda Tourism Board boss, said they have tried to market all the 25 places where the Uganda martyrs were killed. It is paying off.

“Many businessmen were able to sell something today because of the pilgrims. We want to develop these sites; and to attract more people next year,” said Asiimwe.
  
And as prayers concluded about 1:00pm, and pilgrims started ushering out of the Shrine, carrying jerry cans of ‘holy’ water on their heads, it only left a feeling of what might have been. What if Pope Francis had actually graced the function as many had anticipated at the end of last year?

For more pictures view here