Uganda Martyrs of Uganda : 3rd June Uganda Martyrs day marks and gives insight into one of the dark days in Uganda’s history when 22 Catholic Christian Martyrs and 23 Anglicans were persecuted under the orders of King Mwanga the second between 1885 and 1887. Each year, thousands of pilgrims from different parts of Africa and outside countries gather at Namugongo Martyrs Shrine to remember those who lost their lives because of their love for Christian Faith. The victims were murdered at a time when there was a 3-way religious struggle for political influence in Buganda Royal Court. It also took place against the backdrop of the scramble for Africa. A visit to Namugongo Martyrs shrine gives deep understanding on how the victims were murdered using axes and after burnt by fire in Namugongo village at the time.
Each year, thousands of Christians pay a visit to Namugongo to commemorate those who died for faith, love for Christ. About a year after King Mwanga of Buganda assumed the throne, he ordered the persecution of Joseph (Yusufu) Rugarama, Nuwa Serwanga and Makko Kakumba who became the first 3 Christian martyrs to be killed in Busega Natete on 31st-January-1885. James Hannington the Anglican Bishop was murdered in Busoga in October 1885 at the time when he was heading to Buganda. Busoga was regarded as a backdoor to Buganda by Kabaka Mwanga at the time and believed that anyone who travels through that path had evil intentions towards Buganda Kingdom.
Other martyrs include Kizito, Joseph Mukasa (the first martyr to be killed because he pleaded to Kabaka Mwanga to abandon the vice of homosexuality and not to kill Bishop Hannington), Bruno Sserunkuuma, Gonzaga Gonza, Gyavira Musoke, John Maria Muzeeyi, Charles Lwanga, Achilleus Kiwanuka, Andrew Kaggwa, Ambrosius Kibuuka, Anatoli Kiriggawajjo, Denis Ssebuggawawo Wasswa, Ponsiano Ngondwe to mention but a few. A visit at Namugongo Martyrs gets you opportunity to check through the list of these martyrs and also have your faith renewed.
2019 Uganda Martyrs day celebrations will attract not only Uganda pilgrims but also others from countries including Italy, Zambia, Australia, Singapore, Ireland, United Kingdom, South Africa, Mexico, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Tanzania, United States, Vatican, Canada, Germany to mention but a few. Uganda and the martyrs shrine become a few and the only areas in African continent and perhaps the world that are visited by 3 popes. This year’s martyr’s celebrations at the Catholic Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo are organized by Gulu Diocese.
Namugongo Martyrs shrine becomes one of the remarkable historical sites that are worth exploring while on a holiday in Uganda. If you love faith tourism, it is that one historical site to visit and most importantly, you can incorporate your safari to other destinations with a visit to martyrs shrine in Namugongo while on Kampala city tour. There are many professional tour guides to take you through your historical exploration in Namugongo martyrs shrine. The Uganda Martyrs Basilica or shrine is dedicated to catholic martyrs of Uganda who lost their lives due to their love for Christian faith. The shrine is credited for its unique shape, interior and exterior design. It features 22 copper pillars over 100 feet long that support the shrine set up in form of an African hut and its wooden doors depict history of the martyrs. The shrine accommodates up to a thousand people.
How to get to Namugongo Martyrs Shrine
Namugongo Martyrs Shrine is 15 kilometers away from Kampala city center. This remarkable historical site straddles at Namugongo. Other martyr’s shrines to explore in Uganda include Munyonyi Martyrs Shrine, Paimol Martyrs Shrine which is set in Agago district and Bugoza Martyrs Shrine in Jinja.
