By Eric Yiga
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the 2026 Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations at the Anglican Shrine in Namugongo, scheduled for 3 June 2026. The decision, made by the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda, places the university at the centre of one of the country’s most significant national and spiritual commemorations.
The announcement was made during a media briefing at UCU, where the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and also the chairperson the Organizing Committee, Dr John Kitayimbwa, described the appointment as both a profound honor and a solemn calling.
“Founded by the Church of Uganda and chaired by the Government of Uganda, UCU receives this mandate with humility and a deep sense of responsibility,” Dr Kitayimbwa said. “We are committed to serving the Church, the nation and the wider global Christian community.”
The 2026 Martyrs’ Day celebrations will be guided by the theme “Christ Our Peace: Breaking the Walls, Healing the Nation,” drawn from Ephesians 2:14. According to Dr Kitayimbwa, the theme speaks directly to Uganda’s current social, economic and spiritual realities.
“Our country carries many visible and invisible wounds,” he said, citing the rising cost of living, unemployment particularly among young people—broken families, corruption, injustice, and growing anxiety and loneliness. Yet he noted that Uganda remains a deeply faithful nation, as reflected in the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who walk to Namugongo each year in search of renewal, forgiveness and hope.
Dr Kitayimbwa highlighted the enduring relevance of the Uganda Martyrs, most of whom were young people from diverse backgrounds. Their unity in faith, courage under persecution and refusal to respond to hatred with hatred, he said, continue to challenge Ugandans to embrace reconciliation, justice and compassion.
“This theme is not just a slogan,” he emphasized. “It is an invitation to allow Christ to reconcile us to God, to one another, and to lead our nation into a more peaceful and stable future.”
The organization of the 2026 celebrations will be a collaborative undertaking involving the Church of Uganda, Uganda Christian University and the Government of Uganda, alongside the private sector and other partners. UCU will serve as the coordinating institution.
The Church of Uganda will provide spiritual leadership through worship, prayer and teaching, while UCU will contribute its academic and creative strengths in theology, research, communication, youth ministry and student innovation. The Government of Uganda, a key funding and coordinating partner, will support infrastructure development, security, health services and the promotion of Namugongo as a major site of religious tourism and national heritage.
Private sector partners including banks, telecommunications companies, media houses and health providers are expected to support the celebrations through corporate social responsibility initiatives and service provision. Civil society organizations, Christian bodies, international partners and members of the Ugandan Diaspora will also contribute through prayer, expertise and financial support.
UCU plans to transform the 2026 Martyrs’ Day celebrations from a single-day event into a season of national spiritual preparation. In collaboration with the Church of Uganda, the university will roll out Bible teaching series across dioceses, parishes, UCU campuses and affiliated colleges, focusing on forgiveness, reconciliation, integrity and peacemaking.
Small group discussions, fellowships, prayer and fasting will form part of the spiritual preparation for families, churches and communities across the country.
Young people will be at the heart of the 2026 celebrations, reflecting both the youthful nature of the martyrs and UCU’s identity as a vibrant university community. Students and youth will serve as choristers, scripture readers, drama performers, writers, journalists and media producers, as well as volunteers assisting pilgrims at Namugongo.
Dr Kitayimbwa said the celebrations will intentionally challenge young people to reflect on what it means to live with integrity as future doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, business leaders and public servants.
UCU will work with the Church of Uganda Archives—hosted at the university the Namugongo Anglican Shrine and relevant government departments to preserve and present the story of the Uganda Martyrs in fresh and accessible ways. Planned initiatives include exhibitions, short documentaries and digital content to be shared in schools, parishes, community centres and internationally.
The university also intends to host public lectures and discussions on faith and integrity in public life, healing of memories, peaceful coexistence and the pressures facing young people today.
On 3 June 2026, the Namugongo service will retain its national and international character, with renewed emphasis on spiritual depth. Pilgrims will have access to quiet prayer spaces, counseling and pastoral support, alongside Christ-centered preaching and worship that reflects Uganda’s cultural and denominational diversity.
In partnership with government agencies, organizers will priorities security, medical services, water and sanitation, and the safe movement of pilgrims. As part of UCU’s legacy, plans are underway to upgrade sanitation facilities at the shrine to cater for the more than one million pilgrims expected.
UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi said the university is privileged to spearhead an internationally acclaimed event that attracts pilgrims from across Africa and beyond. He noted that Martyrs’ Day challenges both institutions and individuals to live by higher ideals of sacrifice, service and faith.
The Chairperson of the UCU Council, Prof. Alfred Olwa, affirmed the university’s readiness to lead the celebrations with excellence. While leadership of Martyrs’ Day traditionally rotates among dioceses, he said UCU’s status as a provincial institution within Kampala Diocese positions it well to take on the responsibility.
Organizers disclosed that a preliminary budget has been drafted, with further consultations ongoing. All funding from the government, the university and partners—will be subject to strict accountability and audit processes.
As preparations begin, UCU and the Church of Uganda are calling on Ugandans from all walks of life to embrace the message of Christ as peace.
“Whatever your story, background or struggle,” Dr Kitayimbwa said, “Christ can meet you—in the stress of daily life, in broken relationships and in the wounds of our national life.”
Organizers believe that beyond development plans and public policies, Uganda needs healed hearts, reconciled communities and renewed hope. As the nation looks ahead to 3 June 2026, they are inviting all Ugandans and friends of Uganda around the world to walk this journey together, trusting Christ to break down dividing walls and heal the nation.
