“Imitate Holy Martyrs of Uganda, Blessed Virgin Mary” Bishop Wamika on Uganda Martyrs Day

” imitate Abraham, Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Uganda Martyrs ,do a sacrifice” Bishop Wamika On Uganda Martyrs Day

Namugongo, Kampala: The Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine in Namugongo under Kampala Archdiocese on 3rd June 2023 registered a historical greatest number of Pilgrims from all around Uganda , East Africa and the World where believers in Christ got fully involved to celebrate and emulate the Uganda Martyrs whose Bloodshed turned into seeds of faith in Uganda.

Delivering the homily ,the Bishop of the Diocese of Jinja that animated this
year’s celebrations, Rt Rev. Charles Martin Wamika asked all pilgrims to imitate and take the example of Abraham, Mother Mary and the Ugandan Saints the martyrs by offering any worthy sacrifice just like Abraham the grand father of all believers, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Uganda martyrs did. He reminded the faithful that Abraham said yes to the voice of God and sacrificed his son Isaac, Blessed virgin Mary who gave a gift of a savior to the world and the now celebrated Uganda martyrs who offered life, for Sainthood and chose death.

“having looked at all these worthy heavy sacrifices, what have you or are you planning to offer in your journey to Sainthood” Bishop Wamika asked.

He continued and asked Christians to practice their faith learning from the Uganda Martyrs without hiding but with courage and strength like St. Charles Lwanga and other Martyrs challenging fellow Bishops and priests to prepare the lay faithful to pave their own way to sainthood. Bishop Wamika on sainthood.

His Majesty William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, the Kyabazinga or King of Busoga present at the shrine among the pilgrims from the animating diocese welcomed the christians especially the pilgrims from Jinja and Busoga region where he is a cultural leader and thanked them for their faithful commitment and leading the celebrations emulating the faith and sacrifice of the Martyrs of Uganda. He also thanked the Catholic church for prioritizing the Uganda Martyrs and organizing an annual celebration and also thanked the government for helping the church by creating a peaceful environment for the faithful to celebrate the Martyrs Day. He finally ended by asking all pilgrims to have a spiritual take away, that will keep them until the next year’s celebration at the shrine again.

President Museveni’s Message was verbally delivered by Prime Minister Rt.Hon. Hon Robinah Nabbanja who attributed the successful celebrations to the peace ushered in by NRM government.

Hon. Nabbanja condoled with all families who lost foot pilgrims as they trekked to Namugongo shrine for this pilgrimage.

Besides the celebrations, the Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese and Chairman Uganda Episcopal Conference Rt. Rev. Joseph Anthony Zziwa together with Bishop Emeritus Joseph Franzeli – Chairman Social Communications Uganda Episcopal Conference officially launched Uganda Catholic Television – UCTV, a media platform that is fully going to work with the entire catholic communities of Uganda .

The Celebrations were attended by the Bishops from Uganda, archbishops representing the four Ugandan archdioceses and all the others from outside Uganda.