Martyrs Day preparations in full gear at Namugongo
May 24, 2017
The Martyrs Day program starts on May 25 with General Novena, which will be recited up to June 2.
Workers renovate one of Martyrs shade at Namugongo. Photo by Juliet Lukwago
With just nine days away, Hoima diocese, the host of this year's Catholic Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations together with the Catholic Secretariat are working around the clock to finish up with the preparations.
Charles Isingoma, chairman finance said they have a budget deficit of sh39m. "The total budget for this year's preparations was sh579m," he said, during the committee meeting at Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo on Tuesday.
The occasion that attracts millions of pilgrims from all over the world is held at Namugongo Holy shrine every June 3rd where most of the 22 Catholic martyrs and 23 Anglicans were burnt to death.
The annual event honours the 45 Catholic and Anglican martyrs, who were killed by burning and beheading for their faith on orders of Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda between 1885 and 1887.
On June 6, 1920 the 22 Catholic Martyrs were beatified by Pope Benedict XV. They were declared saints on October 18, 1964 by Pope Paul VI.