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 urges 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, emphasizes that despite the postponement of the national pilgrimage, the day remains significant for honoring the martyrs’ witness of faith and courage.
This local observance is consistent with the universal Catholic liturgical calendar, in which June 3 is marked annually in parishes worldwide as the Feast of the Uganda Martyrs.
This year, the Diocese of Kasese has been given the responsibility of animating the national celebrations.
The postponement has affected what had become one of East Africa’s biggest religious gatherings, traditionally attracting hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.
Many Catholics undertake long foot pilgrimages to Namugongo as acts of devotion and penance.
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.
The bishops further calls on Catholics to remain calm, prayerful, united, and hopeful, living out the martyrs’ legacy of love, sacrifice, truth and fidelity to God.
By URN
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