UGANDA: 2023 Uganda Martyrs Day Registers Highest Number of Pilgrims Ever
Masereka Peter
The Uganda Martyrs’ Shrines Namugongo, on 03rd June 2023, registered the highest number of pilgrims in history with a call on believers in Christ to emulate the Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions whose bloodshed turned into seeds of faith in Uganda.
This year’s celebration attracted pilgrims from all across the East African countries, Malawi, and Nigeria, among other African countries and the world at large.
Among the pilgrims, Jinja Catholic Diocese the host registered the highest number of foot pilgrims led by the Ordinary Rt. Rev. Charles Martin Wamika who attributed the number to strong faith which he said is built on the bloodshed of St. Matia Mulumba and St. Gonzaga Gonza who hailed from Jinja.
In his homily while presiding over Holy Mass that marks this year’s Uganda Martyrs celebration, animated by the Diocese of Jinja on a theme “Lord increase our faith”, Rt Rev Charles Martin Wamika asked all pilgrims to embrace the attitude of sacrificing, just like Abraham the father of all believers, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Uganda martyrs who all offered themselves to God for the salvation of the world as well as increasing the faith among believers.
The Prelate asked Christians to practice their faith and learn from the Uganda Martyrs, warning Bishops and priests to prepare the lay faithful to pave their own way to sainthood.
Wamika warned Catholics against engaging in polygamous marriages but rather emulate St. Matia Mulhumba who upon conversion divorced all other three women but one, making him the first couple to wed in Uganda.
Bishop Wamika also warned the current young generation that has been spoiled by the worldly things including social media and other morality acts, asking them to learn from the martyrs.
President Museveni’s message was verbally delivered by Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Hon Robinah Nabanja who attributed the success of the celebrations to the peace ushered in by NRM government. He later condoled with families who lost foot pilgrims while trekking to Namugongo shrines.
His Majesty William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV the King of Busoga who was present at the shrine among the pilgrims said as cultural institution, they will continue protecting the course of the Uganda Martyrs as he also encouraged the rest of the Christians to live a Holy life.
The Papal Nuncio to Uganda His Grace Luing Bianco asked believers in Christ to emulate the Uganda martyrs by practicing their faith, saying faith shows that Jesus is alive and is the saviour.
“Faith always calls for action and to guide and inspire the life, the big and small decisions of every day as the letter of James 2:26 warns ‘a body without spirit is dead’, so is faith without deeds,” said Archbishop Bianco.
According to His Grace Paul Ssemogerere the Archbishop Kampala, the opening of Uganda Martyrs University was to respond to the impact by the Church in Uganda martyrs in the education sector.
The youngest foot pilgrim from the Diocese of Kasese who turned twelve on the Uganda Martyrs’ Day, Kelvin Mumbere, told the AMECEA Online correspondent that his holy journey was to pray for God to help him get a volunteer who can support his education in view of fulfilling his dream to become a Catholic priest in the future.
To Swizin Baluku who is also twelve years said that his intention was to ask God enable his parents get money to enable them own land and get school fees.
A Congolese foot pilgrim from Butembo-Beni Diocese, Mr.Kangesa Kambale Nziamare said his intention with other foot pilgrims who were led by Fr. Kasereka was to pray for peace and unity in their country following the increase in number of rebel groups that has led to insecurity and brutal killings of locals and clerics
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