Agency
The Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) has directed Catholics in the country to observe Martyrs’ Day through mass and prayer services in their respective parishes and dioceses after the government postponed the national celebrations at Namugongo over Ebola concerns.
In pastoral guidance issued by its chairperson, Anthony Zziwa, the Uganda Episcopal Conference urged dioceses and parishes to hold decentralized commemorations led by local bishops while strictly observing Ministry of Health guidelines.
Rt. Rev. Anthony Zziwa, who also serves as Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, emphasized that despite the postponement of the national pilgrimage, the day remains significant for honoring the martyrs’ witness of faith and courage.
The postponement has affected what had become one of East Africa’s biggest religious gatherings, traditionally attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.
The 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican Uganda Martyrs were executed between 1885 and 1887 on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II for refusing to abandon their Christian faith. 13 Catholics were burned alive at Namugongo on June 3, 1886.
