Church of Uganda has announced that it will continue with this year’s martyrs’ day celebrations despite the COVID-19 lockdown.
This has been confirmed by the Provincial Secretary Rev Canon William Ongeng who says that the celebrations shall be held differently this year.
In a statement issued this morning, Ongeng says unlike the previous years where Christians from all over the world gathered at the Namugongo Martyrs shrine to celebrate Uganda Martyrs’ who were persecuted for their faith, this time only a few invited people will be allowed to attend.
This, he says is due to the government restrictions on public gatherings because of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that President Museveni is expected as Chief Guest.
“The President was invited as the chief Guest,” he revealed.
Ongeng further noted that The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu will on June 1, 2020 make an on site visit to Namugongo.
“And, thereafter, will address a press conference together with the the Chairman of Namugongo Development Committee, Retired Bishop Jackson Matovu and the Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, Rt Rev Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira,” reads an excerpt.
He said further details on the program will be communicated during Monday’s press conference.
The development comes after the Uganda Episcopal Conference, a body that brings together Catholic Bishops in Uganda, postponed this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The day held annually on June 3, is in honour of the martyrdom of 45 young men who converted to Christianity between 1885 and 1887 to the annoyance of Kabaka Mwanga II, the then cultural leader of Buganda Kingdom who ordered that they are burnt to death.
