Museveni and Mama Nyerere at Namugongo

UGANDA MARTYRS' DAY

KAMPALA - It's two days to Uganda Martyrs' Day, marked every June 3 to celebrated the lives of 22 Ugandan Christians whose commitment to their Christian faith led to their deaths by the orders of Buganda king Mwanga.

In the run-up to this year's celebrations, a special service was held Thursday inside the Uganda Martyrs' basilica to pray for the beatification of former Tanzanian leader Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, who died 18 years ago.

His wife, 87-year-old Mama Maria Nyerere, attended the special service, as did President Yoweri Museveni, who was delighted to meet Tanzania's first First Lady.

Kampala Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga led the prayers attended by several high-profile people, pilgrims from Tanzania and other faithful.

These moments were captured on camera . . .

After the service, President Museveni led Mama Nyerere to the exit

 Later, the president addressed pilgrims

On Saturday, the whole of Namugongo, like in past years, will be filled with people. Security has been heightened ahead of the day.

RAINY AFTERNOON . . .

There was a downpour early Thursday afternoon, but it did little to damp the spirits of the pilgrims that had already arrived at Namugongo. Here's how some dealt with the wetness . . .