Gulu Archdiocese in sh700m Martyrs Day deficit

May 04, 2019

The budget estimate for the whole preparations is sh900m.

With only a month to go until the Martyrs Day celebrations, Gulu Archdiocese the host of Catholic celebrations on June 3, still has a sh700m deficit in its sh900m budget.

This was disclosed by Fr Martin Ogwee who is in charge of the organising committee's finance. He, however, said they are still hopeful that partners and well-wishers will come to their aid to enable preparations to be done in time.

Gulu Archdiocese was chosen by the Catholic Episcopal Conference to lead the Martyrs Day celebrations which are usually organised on a rotational basis according to the four ecclesiastical provinces of the Catholic Church in Uganda.

This year's celebrations will be held under the theme ‘Obey God Always and Everywhere' (Acts 4:19).

Ogwee said the team is planning to arrive at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo on June 1.

"Various sub-committees in the diocese are working around the clock to beat deadlines," he said.

Msgr Mathew Odong, the chairman organising committee of Gulu Archdiocese, said they expect many more pilgrims this year and asked people who cannot contribute materially to also come forward to help with the preparations.

"The budget estimate for the whole preparations is sh900m," he said. "This includes pastoral and liturgical work, public address system, decorating of the place, electricity, transport, banners, catering, pilgrims' accommodation, medical, protocol, water and sanitation and among others."

He appealed to all God-loving, good-willed and generous people to give a hand in raising the funds for preparing the pilgrimage and actual celebration of the Uganda Martyrs Day at Namugongo.

"If each one gave us at least sh10,000, how much would we raise for God?" Odong asked.

He thanked Christians, friends, well-wishers and committee members for the good work and requested well-wishers to contribute more.

Gulu Archdiocese last animated in 2003.

"We are appealing to companies, schools, and corporate bodies to advertise in the official magazine which is being prepared for the celebrations. We have also opened a bank account in Centenary Bank: Account name: ARCHDIOCESE OF GULU Namugongo Martyrs Celebrations 2019 Account number: 3100059093 for the well-wishers," Odong said.

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