Hundreds of pilgrims have flocked Namugongo Shrine and more arrivals are expected ahead of June 3rd, 2016 celebrations to commemorate the death of the Uganda martyrs.
The celebrations will be animated by the Diocese of Kiyinda-Mityana on behalf of Kampala Ecclesiastical Province.
The theme for this year’s celebration has been extracted from the book of John 8:32, ‘The Truth Will Make You Free.’
It was unveiled on April 21, 2016 by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Antony Zziwa, Bishop of Kiyinda Mityana and Vice Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) at a Press Conference that was held at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat (UCS) premises.
The preparations and the actual celebrations have been estimated to cost at least Ushs450m as revealed by Bishop Zziwa.
The annual celebration commemorates the heroic faith of the 45 Martyrs, both Catholic and Anglican, who were burnt to death on the orders of KabakaMwanga II, the then king of Buganda between 1885 and 1887. Twenty two Catholic Martyrs were beatified on June 6, 1920, by Pope Benedict XV, and on October 18 1964, Pope Paul VI canonized them as Saints.
2nd June 2016 Pilgrim arrivals.
aaron@ugchristiannews.com. Photo Credit – Daprince Photography
