During the annual Martyrs’ Day celebrations at the Catholic Shrine in Namugongo, Bishop Christopher Kakooza of the Lugazi Diocese delivered a powerful homily, urging pilgrims to follow the example of the Uganda Martyrs. 

He emphasized that the martyrs, including Charles Lwanga and Matia Mulumba, remained steadfast in their faith despite persecution, and encouraged the faithful to do the same.

Bishop Kakooza also reflected on the theme of the 2025 Jubilee year, “Pilgrims of Hope,” and prayed for the new Pope Leo XIV and the late Pope Francis. 

The Mass, attended by numerous high-ranking clergy, including four metropolitan archbishops like, Paul Ssemogerere of Kampala Archdiocese, Emmanuel Obbo of Tororo, Raphael Wokorach of Gulu, and Lambert Bainomugish of Mbarara. 

Other notable attendees included Pope Nuncio Archbishop Luigi Bianco, Pope Nuncio Emeritus Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, and Antoine Cardinal Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali in Rwanda. and the Pope Nuncio, featured a vibrant performance by a 500-member choir drawn from 34 parishes of the diocese . 

The bishop’s message resonated with the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims in attendance, who had traveled from around the world to participate in the celebrations.

By Francis Jjunju

3rd June 2025

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