UMU Leads in closure of Martyrs Relics Exhibition amidst Bicentennial of Cardinal C. Lavigerie’s Birth.

Today, the  Catholic faithful have gathered at the Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s Cathedral Lubaga Hill of Kampala City, Kampala Archdiocese in Uganda for the launch of the Bicentenary Commemoration of the Birth and the works of Cardinal Charles Lavigerie (1825-2025), a White father alongside the Procession of the Relics of the Uganda Martyrs.

The Event was led by Msgr. Lawrence Ssemusu who stood in as the main celebrant on behalf of the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese Paul Ssemogerere who was away for other Pastoral duties. It is noted that this celebration also marked the 99th Anniversary of Lubaga Cathedral church which is one of the Works of the White fathers also known as Missionaries Of Africa.

The event began with the Procession of the Relics of the Uganda Martyrs which was led by Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), from Lubaga Campus to the Cathedral with hymns of praise by the University praise team and the faithful for the victory of the Glorious Uganda Martyrs, thereafter, was a Holy sacrifice of mass led by the Monsignor Ssemusu, helped by the assistant Cathedral administrator , Fr. Richard Nyombi White father , among other priests who couldn’t miss this millennial event.

Msgr. Lawrence Ssemusu in the Homily, emphasized the need to luminate the candle of faith by emitating cardinal Lavigerie especially copying his apostolic zeal and enthusiasm that led him to such a legacy and becoming a founder of the Congregation of the White Fathers and White sisters (Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Africa who are yet to celebrate 200 and 125 years respectively, since the congregation was founded.

“There is a call that we must accept, and that is fulfilling commitments of our faith and we must accomplish what the Lord has tasked us to do, but in simplicity!” Msgr. Ssemusu added.

Prof. Dr. Patrick Kyamanywa, the Vice Chancellor of Uganda Martyrs University in his speech appreciated the dicastery of Communications in the Holy See (Rome) and the Catholic Church leadership in Uganda for granting the opportunity he called a blessing, to Uganda Martyrs University to host and lead the exhibition of the first – hand relics of the Uganda Martyrs which have been at Rubaga Campus since the month of September for exhibition to prepare the faithful for the 60 years Canonization anniversary celebration that was held on 18th October and remarked that it has and will continue to sharpen faith in the believers .

Prof. Dr. Kyamanywa also applauded the government of Uganda, Munyonyo Martyrs minor Basilica leadership, Ggaba parish community and many others for supporting the exhibition activities and journeying with the university in this cause.

He finally thanked the Ugandan community in Michigan USA for the visual – informational compilation and other support in regard to the exhibition and the 60th Canonization anniversary of the Uganda Martyrs.

END.