Hundreds of thousands of Pilgrims from here and abroad have taken pilgrimage today the 3rd of June in the annual Martyrs day celebrations for this year 2025 at the Catholic Shrine Namugongo.
From all continents of the world, Africa, Europe, Asia, America and Australia pilgrims were welcomed by the main celebrant Rt. Rev. Bishop Christopher Kakooza the ordinary of the Lugazi Diocese that has animated at this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations.
In his Homily at the Martyrs lake Namugongo Bishop Kakooza first paid tribute to the New Pope Leo XIV who is barely 26 days a Pope. He comes to lead Gods flock to holiness, let the entire faithful unit in prayer for his successful pastoral work.
He also prayed for the late Pope Francis and underscored the deeper reflection on the theme of the 2025 Jubilee year, to be Pilgrims of Hope, where said A pilgrimage is journey of faith, by a person of faith to a place of faith to strengthen faith.
Pilgrimage is a spiritual journey in quest for faith, penance seeking to encounter God’s grace and revelation to holiness.
Bishop Kakooza says life is full of challenges but with Hope the cornerstone of the Christian life, inspires love, motivation and selfless service to all. This is further supported by the Christian virtues that are prayer and acts of charity in communion with God to withstand worldly struggles.
He reminded the congregation that the Uganda Martyrs gave their life for Christ; saint Charles Lwanga, Matia Mulumba and the companions were tested like Gold in the furnace, persecuted but stood firm to their pilgrimage to Namugongo from which they gained greatness in Jesus Christ from which Uganda and the entire Catholic Church draws Spiritual recognition. This spiritual journey and achievement should be jealously protected and lived like the late Pope Francis implored Ugandans in November 2015 to be witnesses of Christ inspired by the Uganda Martyrs.
Lugazi diocese erected in February 1997, had last animated Namugongo in 2003 under his lordship Rt. Rev. Bishop Matthias Ssekamanya. During the 2024 Diocesan day Bishop Kakooza launched the preparatory meeting of over 100 members who draw plans of mobilizing for both material and financial support from schools, institutions, Christians and well wishes which has helped the diocese to have a colourful celebration.
On 30th May 2025, the Central government confirmed to have disbursed UGX 4.2 billion that is both the Catholics and Anglicans got UGX 2 billion respectively, while UGX 200 million went to the Muslim Community according to the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Martin Bahinduka Mugarra.
Under the theme; inspired by the Jubilee Year declared by the late Pope Francis: Oh Lord, let me see again, I, Your pilgrim of Hope, theangelic voices from a choir of 500 members drawn from the 34 parishes of the diocese presented a colourful performance.
The Mass started at 10am with the procession from the Basilica led by the cross bearer and relics of the Uganda martyrs followed by the catechists, priests, Bishops, Archbishops, Main Celebrant and Papal knights.
The homily by Bishop Christopher Kakooza that was in English and Luganda, was translated into various languages, French, Luo, Swahiri, Runyoro-Rutooro and Acholi.
The Mass was attended by the four metropolitan archbishops; His Grace Paul Ssemogerere of Kampala Archdiocese, Emmanuel Obbo of Torooro, Raphael Wokorach of Gulu and Lambert Bainomugish of Mbarara, Pope Nuncio Archbishop Luigi Bianco, Pope Nuncio Emeritus Archbishop Augustine Kasujja and Antoine Cardinal Kambanda Archbishop of Kigali in Rwanda. The Central government was represented by the Vice President Jessica Alupo.
By Jjunju Francis
03rd June 2025
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