UGANDA: Tanzania confirms over 2000 pilgrims for Uganda Martyrs celebrations
Despite the recent terror alert in the
country, 2030 pilgrims from Tanzania will join thousands of Christians from
across the world to celebrate Uganda Martyrs Day scheduled for June 3 at
Namugongo Shrines.
According to the Chairperson of the
Pilgrims Committee, Mrs. Theresa Mary Obbo, the Tanzanian pilgrims had sent a
confirmation message about a month ago. This was during the third meeting of
the Central Organizing Committee for the celebrations held at Uganda Episcopal
Conference (UEC) premises on Tuesday March 14.
Pilgrims Committee, Mrs. Theresa Mary Obbo, the Tanzanian pilgrims had sent a
confirmation message about a month ago. This was during the third meeting of
the Central Organizing Committee for the celebrations held at Uganda Episcopal
Conference (UEC) premises on Tuesday March 14.
“Tanzania has confirmed 1100 pilgrims
from Shinyanga, 550 from Dar-es-salaam, 100 from Geita, 120 from Mwanza and 150
from Bukoba”, she said.
from Shinyanga, 550 from Dar-es-salaam, 100 from Geita, 120 from Mwanza and 150
from Bukoba”, she said.
Every
June 3, Christians from around the world pay homage to the 45 Martyrs, both Catholic and Protestant, who were burnt to death on the
orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, the then king of Buganda between 1885 and 1887, for converting to
Christianity.
June 3, Christians from around the world pay homage to the 45 Martyrs, both Catholic and Protestant, who were burnt to death on the
orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, the then king of Buganda between 1885 and 1887, for converting to
Christianity.
The celebration is usually held at
both the Catholic and the Protestant Shrines, which are situated just a few metres
apart in Namugongo, Kampala. The majority of the
pilgrims usually come from Rwanda, Malawi, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and DR
Congo, besides Uganda.
both the Catholic and the Protestant Shrines, which are situated just a few metres
apart in Namugongo, Kampala. The majority of the
pilgrims usually come from Rwanda, Malawi, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and DR
Congo, besides Uganda.
The
commemoration of the day is supposed to give inspiration and enhance Christian
belief. The twenty two Catholic Martyrs were
canonized on October 18 1964 as saints by Pope Paul VI, in the presence of
Bishops from all over the world who had gathered in Rome for the Second Vatican
Council.
commemoration of the day is supposed to give inspiration and enhance Christian
belief. The twenty two Catholic Martyrs were
canonized on October 18 1964 as saints by Pope Paul VI, in the presence of
Bishops from all over the world who had gathered in Rome for the Second Vatican
Council.
Meanwhile, Lira Diocese which will be in charge of
the liturgy has released this year’s theme namely, ‘Called to be Witnesses of
Christ and Family’.
the liturgy has released this year’s theme namely, ‘Called to be Witnesses of
Christ and Family’.
The Chairperson for Lira Steering
Committee, Mr. Moses Okwel, announced the theme to the committee adding that
other preparations in the diocese are moving on well.
Committee, Mr. Moses Okwel, announced the theme to the committee adding that
other preparations in the diocese are moving on well.
“The
choir will comprise of at least 150 members from Lira, Gulu, Nebbi and Arua dioceses. They have already begun to practice and I am
sure they will make June unforgettable. Besides, we are working together with
the different security personnel in the country to ensure the safety of all
pilgrims and other people on June 3,” Mr. Okwel stated. He added that pilgrims
from Lira will leave for Namugongo on May 15.
choir will comprise of at least 150 members from Lira, Gulu, Nebbi and Arua dioceses. They have already begun to practice and I am
sure they will make June unforgettable. Besides, we are working together with
the different security personnel in the country to ensure the safety of all
pilgrims and other people on June 3,” Mr. Okwel stated. He added that pilgrims
from Lira will leave for Namugongo on May 15.
The Chairperson of the Central Organizing
Committee, Msgr. John Baptist Kauta, who is also the UEC Secretary General,
told the members that Pepsi-Cola in Uganda has boosted the celebrations with
shs10 million offer towards Namugongo shrines re-construction.
Committee, Msgr. John Baptist Kauta, who is also the UEC Secretary General,
told the members that Pepsi-Cola in Uganda has boosted the celebrations with
shs10 million offer towards Namugongo shrines re-construction.
By
Jacinta Wangalwa Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
Jacinta Wangalwa Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
