Mityana pilgrims pray for Matia Mulumba

(Credit: Luke Kagiri)

MITYANA - Thousands of pilgrims on Tuesday braved a heavy rainfall, as they gathered at Butega village in Mityana municipality to pay pilgrimage to St Matia Mulumba Kalemba.

Butega village is where Matia Mulumba lived, as he worked in the Ssingo county palace, and prayed at Kiyinda, and in Kampala. Matia Mulumba was killed at Old Kampala.

The celebration of mass was expected to start at 10 am local time but the downpour started at the very time, as more and more pilgrims gathered.

The bishop of Kiyinda Mityana diocese Rt Rev Dr Joseph Antony Zziwa was forced to hold on for some time before starting mass.

There is a small church for Butega sub-parish at Butega, where all the pilgrims could not fit for mass.

'Emulate his life'

In his homily, Bishop  Zziwa narrated the kind of life that Matia Mulumba lived and said faithful must emulate him.

"He once had two wives, but remained with one. He was a soldier but never looted items. He remained with strong faith until his death."

He added: "Couples, pray to him, and live like he did. Magistrates, practice fairly like he did. If you are a soldier, just protect your people but not torture them."

Out of the 22 Uganda martyrs, four hailed from Mityana diocese. One of them is Matia Mulumba  who was born at Butega in Mityana cathedral parish.

Another is Ambrozio Kibuuka, who was born at Ttamu in Mityana Municipality and was killed in Namugongo.

The other two are Luke Baanabakintu and Noa Mawagali, who lived at Kiyinda where the cathedral is.