By Jumah Kakomo
The Uganda Martyrs are remembered for their unwavering faith and willingness to lay down their lives for what they believed in.
Addressing the media at party headquarters Kampala on Wednesday, the party spokesperson Arach Oyat Sharon called for vigilance from both the general public, Uganda police force and all sister agencies to ensure the safety of pilgrims as they are currently continue trekking to Namugongo from various parts of the country at both Catholics shrine, Anglicans site and CECU’s Mamre prayer centre where celebrations are always conducted.
She says this day is falling at a time when the capital city is registering several crime cases of different magnitudes.
“This demands for a total cooperation of all stakeholders, as the country we have totally gone through serious challenges and difficulties, “Sharon added.
The party head of media and communications Faizo Muzey, raises concerns on how parents and guardians are trying their level best to finance their children’s education in the wake of this struggling economy.
“This makes the Martyrs day celebrations to deeply question the patterns of this world which attempt us from God’s World. There is an urgent need to be upright and fair in all our day to day activities and suspend corrupt minds that ruin the development of our societies; we need to be merciful towards each other,” Faizo added.
In the late 19th century, a group of Christians in Uganda were persecuted and martyred for their refusal to renounce their faith and participate in immoral practices as commanded by the king.
The Uganda Martyrs are mostly known as a group of 22 Catholics and 23 Anglican converts to Christianity in the historical kingdom of Buganda, now part of Uganda, who were executed between 31 January 1885 and 27 January 1887.
They were killed on orders of Mwanga II, the then Kabaka (King) of Buganda. The deaths took place at a time when there was a three-way religious struggle for political influence at the Buganda royal court.
Now, the Martyrs day is commemorated on 3rd June annually with celebrations at both Namugongo Catholics shrine and Anglican site. Today’s Martyrs day will be celebrated next week on 3rd Monday under the theme “Conforming to the truth of God’s word and not the patterns of this World”.
