Pilgrims walk 350 Kilometres to the 2015 Uganda Martyrs’ Day

More than 2 500 pilgrims from different corners of Africa have confirmed participation at the Uganda Martyrs’ Day which is held every year at the Namugongo Shrine on 3 June.

Christians from countries such as Tanzania, Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Congo DR and Malawi are among the pilgrims who have confirmed participation.  Tanzania has around 2 000 people registered to take part in this year’s pilgrimage to Namugongo.  Tanzania’s Diocese of Shinyanga alone has 1 100 people who are heading to Uganda for the Martyrs’ Day celebrations. 

Ugandan Diocese of Lira will lead this year’s liturgical celebration under the theme, “Called to be Witnesses of Christ in the Family and Society.” Already 300 pilgrims from Lira town in Uganda have started their journey on foot to the Namugongo shrine.  These pilgrims began their journey after a flag-off ceremony that was led by the Bishop of Lira, Joseph Franzelli.  Lira diocese last led the Uganda Martyrs’ celebrations 16 years ago in 1999. 

According to the Lira Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, Fr. Vallente Innocent Opio, the pilgrims are expected to arrive at Namugongo, their destination on 1 June. “They have a spiritual programme that they are following during their journey,” Fr. Opio said adding that “they will not walk throughout, instead they will have some stop-overs where they will spend a night or two to get some rest,” he said.

Every year on 3 June, Christians comprising Catholics and Protestants from around the world pay homage to the 45 Uganda Martyrs.   The conversions of mostly young Ugandan men to Christianity outraged the then King of Buganda, Kabaka Mwanga II between the years 1885 and 1887.  The furious King ordered the converts to be burnt to death.  

The 22 Catholic Martyrs were canonised on 18 October 1964 by Blessed Pope Paul VI in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy. Bishops from all over the world who had gathered in Rome for the Second Vatican Council witnessed the canonisation of these African martyrs.  

23 of the Martyrs are Anglicans or belong to the Church of England.

(By Jacinta Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference)

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