UGANDA: Bishop Kibira Launches Uganda Martyrs 2026 Pilgrimage with $1.3M Budget Appeal
Masereka Peter
The pilgrimage to the Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo-2026, which the Diocese of Kasese will animate, has been officially launched by the Ordinary of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira Kambale.
The Diocese that animated the Namugongo Celebration last in 2003 will again do so next year.
In an interview at St. John Paul II Spiritual Home shortly after presiding over Holy Mass at Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral Church and the official pilgrimage launch on 23rd Nov 2025, Bishop Kibira unveiled the theme of pilgrimage inspired by the letter of St. Paul to Galatians (2:20) as, “Christ is Alive in You and Me.”
The Bishop, therefore, asked Christians to begin the journey to next year’s Martyrs Day celebrations within themselves, their families, and their places of work.
The local ordinary of Kasese described animating Mass at Namugongo alongside the ongoing costly Cathedral construction works as a great blessing, not a burden as some people perceived, because, with the power of the Ugandan Martyrs and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Temple of God would have been roofed by that time.
The Prelate said a budget of 4.8 billion Uganda shillings (1.3 million US dollars) had been passed, and called for massive support from all people of goodwill to use Cent Mobile, Cent Agents, and Centenary Bank for guidance on how to deliver contributions for next year’s celebrations.
He also called for massive tree planting by Christians in what he referred to as the Martyrs’ forest in preparation for the Uganda Martyrs celebration.
Bishop Kibira also warned politicians against hate speech and empty promises and sensitized the public on the best way to address current poverty levels and promote peace in diversity. He wondered why some politicians have turned their political campaigns into platforms to demean their opponents and make unrealistic pledges rather than popularize their manifestos and approaches to improved livelihoods.
The Celebration’s Central Committee chairperson, Rev. Fr. John Baptist Kule, said each parish and institution has been given a Martyr to pray through their intercession, calling for spiritual, emotional, and material support to make the day a success.
Rev. Fr. Anyasio Mbusa, a member of the central organizing committee, revealed that the Diocese of Kasese had appointed a sub-committee to document the details of the two catechists, John Baptist of Kabuyiri and Gregory of Katanda in Bukangara parish, for a Sainthood process.
During the launch, Bishop Kibira officially unveiled the Martyrs celebration prayers and Novena.
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