Munyonyo: where Pope will start his pilgrimage

Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine is one of the places Pope Francis will visit during his stay in Uganda. The pontiff is scheduled to arrive in the country on November 27 and will visit the place that evening. Juliet Lukwago explains why Pope Francis is visiting the place.

The pope will start his Martyrs pilgrimage from Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine where the journey of the Uganda martyrs began, Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of Kampala said. Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine is one of the many places that commemorate the journey of the 22 Catholic young men to their martyrdom at Namugongo. Many of the brave men, who were serving in the Kabaka’s palace as pages, started their martyrdom journey at the Munyonyo palace when they defied Kabaka Mwanga’s orders to denounce their faith.

In fact, Andrew Kaggwa and Denis Ssebuggwaawo were killed and buried at Munyonyo and their shrine is currently being re-built in preparation for the pope’s visit next November. The Kabaka then ordered the execution of Ngondwe at Kyamula next to Munyonyo as his soldiers led the rest their last journey to Namugongo. 

Last year, the Martyrs marked 50 years since they were canonized by Pope Paul VI in Rome. The pope is expected to meet the catechists and teachers during his pilgrimage to Munyonyo martyrs shrine.

According to Fr. Dr. Marion Golab, the Shrine Rector, it was at Munyonyo where King Mwanga took the decision to begin putting Christians to death for refusing to denounce Christianity.

“On the morning of May 26, 1886, Mwanga convened his court at Munyonyo and separated the Christians from his loyal subjects. He then condemned the believers to imprisonment before he ordered for their execution in Namugongo on June 3, 1886.”

History

Golab, fondly renamed Fr Kajubi by parishioners, said Kabaka Mwanga was returning to Munyonyo from an unsuccessful hunting spree when he was told of an apparent rebellion among his pages. He promptly ordered that they put to death everyone who refused to denounce Christianity. Surprised by their resolute determination, he ordered his soldiers to bind them together and take them to Namugongo. Most of them were burnt on a pyre, Golab started.

Fr. Simon Lourdel, popularly known locally as Mapeera, then desperately sought audience with the Kabaka in an effort to save the other pages but the Kabaka refused to see him.

Munyonyo is also the place where Saint Charles Lwanga, the leader of the Martyrs, baptized St. Kizito, St. Mbaga, St. Gyaviira and St. Muggaga Lubowa in 1886.

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Munyonyo Parish

Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine is a sub-parish of Ggaba Catholic Parish in the Archdiocese of Kampala. It is headed by the Franciscans Fathers, a religious congregation in the Catholic Church. Currently there are over 500 Christians from different parishes, including visitors from other parts of Kampala, flock to Munyonyo every Sunday to pray for the intercession of the two martyrs.

The parish sits on a-six-acre chunk of land and is approximately 13 km from the city centre along Salaama Road that leads to the Commonwealth Resort Hotel. It was leased from the Uganda Land Commission to the Catholic Church for 99 years.

However, part of the land was eventually settled upon by squatters. The Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of Kampala appealed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to intervene and secure the land from the encroachers for the church to make further developments that would attract foreign and local tourists to visit the place in future.

The new shrine

The new Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine sits on a-10-acre piece of land. According to Golab, its development delayed for a long time because the church was engaged in legal battles to get squatters off the land.

Last May, Papal Nuncio to Uganda Archbishop Michael August Blume and Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala launched the refurbishment and reconstruction of the shrine. It is expected to accommodate 1,050 Christians comfortably within its glass walls littered by Martyrs portraits. It will be one of the tallest buildings in the country with 45 meters and topped by an 18 metre cross, visible from different locations in Kampala. The architectural plan was made by Robert Sseremba Construction and construction is by SEYANI Construction International.

Future plans

The whole redevelopment plan for Munyonyo will not be ready before the pope arrives. But according to the grand plan for the place, other developments will be made.

Martyrdom Spots 

The monument of St. Andrew Kaggwa will be maintained in the same location but its surrounding will be further enhanced to enable circulation and meditation around the monument. The tomb of St. Andrew Kaggwa will be maintained in the same location but the interior and Altar above will be redesigned to match the aesthetics of the new development.

Open Amphitheater
This will be designed within the slope of the site and oriented around the covered Altar above the tomb of St. Andrew Kaggwa. It will accommodate a minimum of 4,000 people.

Formation House
A block will be built at the right hand side of the shrine in a more quiet area. The 2 storeyed building covers a total floor area of 1387.5 Square metres. It will accommodate a classroom, kitchen and dining room, 2 living rooms, double rooms for 30 residents with other support facilities such as circulation, stores, laundry, showers and toilets.

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Retreat Centre
This will be placed at the right hand side of the shrine which is quiet and has two floors with a total floor area of 1387.5 square metres. This block will accommodate 30 self-contained rooms, kitchen and dining rooms, living room and other support facilities such as circulation, stores, laundry, showers and toilets. A well landscaped area at the lower part of the site will also be quiet and ideal for meditation. A man-made lake will also be incorporated in the gardens using water that will be generated and purified from the swampy area at the lower part. 

Pastoral Centre

This will have 2 floors with a total floor area of 1,400 square metres. The building will accommodate 2 halls, a conference room, dining rooms, kitchen and other support facilities such as toilets and stores among others.

Cottages
12 cottages for the tourists and other people who would visit the centre will each have a floor area of  45 square metres.
 Information Centre

The information centre will be placed near the main entrance gate and will be used as a point for inquiry by visitors. It is circular or round in form and has such facilities as outdoor porch for visitors, reception and toilets and stores.

Parking

Parking space will be provided for next to the entrance gate  to keep the noise in one area and allow for meditation and other quiet activities on the right hand side. Also parking has been provided at the formation house accessed from the rear side of the shrine.

Tomorrow we shall profile Bakateyamba in Nalukolongo

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