Press Release: Uganda Martyrs day celebrations 2022 to be animated by Fortportal Catholic Diocese

PRESS RELEASE ON 23RD MARCH 2022
PREPARATIONS FOR THE UGANDA MARTYRS’ DAY CELEBRATIONS 2022 AT NAMUGONGO ANIMATED BY FORT PORTAL CATHOLIC DIOCESE

Introduction:
Dear people of God, men and women of goodwill, I greet you all in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The purpose of this press release is to give you a briefing on the preparations and how far we have progressed regarding the 3rd June 2022 celebrations.

It was last month, on 14th February 2022, that we received the great news from the Uganda Episcopal Conference of our choice as Fort Portal Catholic Diocese to lead this year’s Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations at Namugongo Catholic Shrine. Due to the uncertainties of the Corona pandemic, the news came in a bit late.

The task is enormous and demands serious preparations on the spiritual level and material level so as to profit from the pilgrimage to Namugongo whose purpose is eminently spiritual, the material dimension notwithstanding. We are organizing a number of activities to march the task ahead of us, below are some of them.

Last animation and theme:
Fort Portal Diocese last animated this celebration way back in 1997. Since then, several changes have taken place; it used to be a small event of about 300 people, but now it is an event of millions of people.
In this year’s celebration, we shall be guided by the theme, BAPTIZED AND SENT TO WITNESS CHRIST WITH LOVE AND HOPE MT. 28:19, ROM. 8:35. This theme is reflected in the way the martyrs died; they were men of faith baptized with water, but some were not yet baptized (baptism of blood). They had a great love for Christ. That is why they opted to die than obey the orders of Kabaka Mwanga. They were not threatened by the sword or fire. With love and hope, they looked to the life after death and resurrection without any fear.
I continue in a special way to appeal to you all people of goodwill to support Fort Portal Diocese in realizing successful and fruitful celebrations. With your spiritual, financial, moral, social and all kinds of support, we shall be able to meet our UGX 1 billion budget, which is very much needed for the success of the occasion.

The money can be deposited into our bank account with CENTENARY BANK, Fort Portal Branch, with the following account details:

Bank: Centenary
A/c Name: Fort Portal Diocese 2022 Uganda Martyrs Celebrations
A/c No.: 3203286953
Branch: Fort Portal
OR
On Airtel Money No. 0753 503 354 and Mobile Money No. 0771 963 204, (Both lines in the name of Robert K. Muhiirwa).

Conclusion:
We extend our gratitude to the Uganda Episcopal Conference for giving Fort Portal Diocese the opportunity to animate this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations at Namugongo. We thank the Government of Uganda and its various organs for the collaborative support.
I would like to appreciate all those who are praying for the success of this great celebration. With God, everything is possible. His project never fails.
You are all welcome to Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine to celebrate and pray to God through the intercession of the Holy Uganda Martyrs for love, peace and unity to prevail in our Country Uganda and the world at large.

May God bless you all.