Making Namugongo Anglican Martyrs Shrine shine

PIC: Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira delivers his remarks during the thanksgiving service and fundraising drive for Uganda Martyrs Anglican Shrine at Uganda Martyrs' Seminary,Namugongo on Sunday. Photos by mathias Mazinga

FUNDRAISING

Kampala- Namirembe Diocese has launched a sustained campaign to raise funds for the redevelopment of Namugongo Anglican Martyrs Shrine.

The campaign, which is an initiative of Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira of Namirembe Diocese, was launched during a special thanksgiving service, which was held at Uganda Martyrs Seminary, Namugongo on Sunday.

Speaking to hundreds of Christians from the diocese's various archdeaconries, the Principal Uganda Martyrs' Seminary, Canon Henry Ssegawa, said  the Martyrs' Shrine fell under the jurisdiction of Namirembe diocese, which was why the diocese had to be the principal champion of its redevelopment.

"Although the shrine is for all the dioceses of the Church of the Province of Uganda, it is within Namirembe diocese. So, we are directly responsible for its maintenance and we are expected to play a leading role in its redevelopment. If we just relax as the shrine takes a bad shape, our brethren from the other dioceses will mock us as being failures. We cannot allow this to happen."

 PIC: Canon Jonathan Kisawuzi delivering his homily

Canon Ssegawa said about sh6b was needed to implement the shrine's redevelopment plan. He mentioned among other planned construction activities the sh2b perimeter wall to enclose the shrine, the solar lights, the upgrading of the spring water channel and the ultimate works on the museum."

The Archdeacon of Entebbe Archdeaconry, Venerable Canon Jonathan Kisawuzi, who was the day's homilist, asked Anglican Christians to develop a culture of generosity towards their Church. Using Ganda proverbs, idioms and similes, Kisawuzi lashed out at some Anglican Christians, who took pride in being members of the faith, but were very reluctant to contribute money towards its activities.

"It is not enough to call ourselves Anglican Christians. The faith we profess must be reflected in our actions. We must not be deceptive in our profession of Christianity," Kisawuzi said.

Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira said Namirembe diocese being the mother diocese of all Anglican dioceses in Uganda, it was right and just that its affiliate Christians come together annually and find ways of improving the shrine ahead of Uganda Martyrs Day June 3.

PIC: The choir from Namayumba Church of Uganda entertaining Christians during the fundraising function for Uganda Martyrs Anglican Shrine at Uganda Martyrs' Seminary, Namugongo on Sunday

The newly appointed chairman of the Uganda Museum mommittee, Bishop Emeritus Jackson Matovu, thanked President Yoweri Museveni for his good will and financial support towards the shrine's development.

He encouraged Christians and all Ugandans to contribute money towards the redevelopment of the shrine, which he said had become a national, regional, continental and international tourist attraction.

 PIC: The choir from St Stephen's Church of Uganda Lukuli, entertaining Christians during the fundraising function for Uganda Martyrs Anglican Shrine

He encouraged the Christians to deposit the money on the following Bank Accounts:

Centenary Bank A/C No. 4410300120, Barclays Bank A/c No. 6004271317, DFCU Bank A/c No. 01203522293880

The account name is: Uganda Martyrs' Museum Namugongo.

The Christians later held a fundraising function during which sh40m was realised in cash and pledges.

The major donors included the former Prime minster, Prof Apollo Nsibambi (sh1m), Namirembe Christian Women's Fellowship (sh1m), John and Christine Kiganda (sh1m), Katwe Martyrs Church (sh1m), Nateete Martyrs Church (sh800,000), Maganjo Church of Uganda (sh1.4m), Kanyanya Parish (sh500,000) and Nansana parish (sh500,000) and Godfrey Kulubya (sh100,000) to mention a few.