At the 2026 MEPA Pilgrimage to Namugongo, Bishops challenge Christians to uphold unity, strengthen families, nurture the youth and remain steadfast in faith.
The Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha, has challenged Christians to understand that Christian witness goes beyond professing faith, calling on them to demonstrate their belief through lives that make Christ visible to the world.
The Archbishop delivered the message while preaching during the 2026 Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province Association (MEPA) pilgrimage to the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo on Sunday, November 8, 2026 held under the theme “Be My Witnesses.”
In his homily, Archbishop Bainomugisha urged the faithful to draw inspiration from the Uganda Martyrs, whose unwavering commitment to Christ demonstrated that faithfulness to God must remain stronger than fear, worldly pressure or even the threat of death.
“A witness is someone who has encountered Jesus and makes Him visible through words and actions,” he emphasised, urging Christians to ensure that others encounter Christ through their daily lives, particularly through acts of mercy, compassion and hope.
Using the analogy of five lamps placed on one table, the Archbishop illustrated the power of Christian unity, explaining that believers are not competitors but brothers and sisters gathered around the same altar to receive the same Gospel.
“Five lamps placed on one table give greater light,” he said, cautioning against allowing divisions, personal interests and rivalries to weaken the Christian community. He noted that the pilgrimage should remind believers of their common identity and shared mission.
Archbishop Bainomugisha further described a pilgrimage as a reflection of the Christian journey through life, observing that believers have not yet reached their final home. Along the way, they encounter challenges such as poverty, sickness, tiredness, misunderstandings and family difficulties, which may tempt them to abandon their faith.
However, he reassured the faithful that Christ continues to walk with them, calling on them to persevere and support one another as brothers and sisters in faith.
Reflecting on the Second Reading from the First Letter of Peter, he urged Christians to remain sober, alert and spiritually vigilant, noting that the journey of faith is not without opposition. Referring to the biblical image of the devil as a roaring lion, he warned believers against allowing trials and difficulties to weaken their commitment to Christ.
He observed that Christians who resist corruption, forgive others, defend the truth and dedicate themselves to serving the Church may sometimes encounter criticism, opposition and rejection. Nevertheless, he encouraged them not to abandon their faith in the face of such challenges.
The Archbishop also cautioned against destructive behaviours within Christian communities, including gossip, jealousy, addiction and divisions, calling on the faithful to remain united and committed to prayer.
He urged Christians not to repay evil with evil, explaining that remaining faithful, forgiving others and upholding what is right under pressure are essential dimensions of Christian witness. He particularly challenged those called to defend justice and truth not to rely exclusively on worldly influence or personal connections, but to seek strength from God.
Connecting this message to the example of the Uganda Martyrs, Archbishop Bainomugisha noted that the martyrs understood that earthly powers could threaten their bodies but could not take away the souls they had entrusted to God.
He reminded pilgrims that the martyrs’ sacrifice should not be treated merely as a historical event but as a living testimony that challenges every generation of Christians to remain faithful. Their example, he said, calls believers to overcome divisions and demonstrate that people from different backgrounds can live, cooperate and build communities together.
He further observed that the Uganda Martyrs teach Christians to hold on to hope even in difficult circumstances, reminding them that suffering and opposition should not have the final word in their relationship with God.
The Archbishop particularly challenged young people to embrace God’s plan for their lives, while urging leaders to exercise authority with justice and integrity. He encouraged all Christians to draw strength from the Uganda Martyrs whenever they become discouraged or face difficulties in their faith.
Bishops Emphasise Family Values, Unity and Youth Formation
In his remarks, the Bishop of Kabale Diocese, Rt. Rev. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, thanked all those who supported the Diocese in preparing for his Episcopal Ordination and installation held on October 3, 2026, at Rushoroza Cathedral.
He observed that their participation demonstrated a spirit of generosity and solidarity.
Bishop Gubazire also thanked fellow bishops for their collegiality and unity, as well as the faithful for welcoming him as their new shepherd. He appealed to them to work together in strengthening diocesan structures.
He paid tribute to Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Bishop Emeritus of Kabale Diocese, for laying a strong spiritual and economic foundation for the Diocese, describing it as an example from which other dioceses could learn.
He also appreciated the political leaders who attended the function, urging them to allow God to guide them in exercising their responsibilities with justice and integrity.
Bishop Gubazire further thanked Hoima Diocese for its excellent preparation and animation of the 2026 MEPA pilgrimage. He prayed that the heroic witness of the Uganda Martyrs would inspire Christians to deepen their faith, remain steadfast in love and bear witness to the Gospel in their daily lives.
The Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese, Rt. Rev. Robert Muhirwa, thanked the pilgrims and used the occasion to challenge parents to give their children adequate time, attention and affection from infancy.
He urged parents to work hard to provide for their families while ensuring that their responsibilities do not prevent them from spending meaningful time with their children. He emphasised that the love and affection children receive from their parents during their formative years are essential to their growth.
To illustrate this, he cited St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, whose mother died when she was still young, but whose father provided her with love and affection.
Bishop Muhirwa also called on adults to create time to listen to young people, engage them and journey with them in a synodal spirit, rather than distancing themselves from their concerns and experiences.
Meanwhile, the Bishop of Kasese Diocese, Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirinus Kibira, thanked the MEPA administration for organising the pilgrimage and Hoima Diocese for successfully preparing the event.
He emphasised that the family is the most important and fundamental unit of society because it provides the foundation for the upbringing and formation of every human person. He described the family as the domestic Church and the first school, with parents serving as children’s first and most important teachers.
Bishop Kibira urged parents to promote sincere and honest dialogue within their families, teaching children the importance of effective communication and creating an environment in which they feel free to share their concerns.
He encouraged parents to build friendships with their children so that they can approach them openly and confidently. However, he cautioned against raising children like “broilers,” urging parents instead to nurture them into responsible, authentic and well-rounded individuals.
Bishop Emeritus Calls for Stronger Christian Family Formation
The Bishop Emeritus of Kabale Diocese, Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, also thanked everyone who took the initiative to participate in the pilgrimage.
He commended parents who cherish their children and nurture their faith, urging them to take an active role in helping their children grow spiritually.
Bishop Rubaramira referred to the October meeting in Rome, where the Pope had called chairpersons of Episcopal Conferences worldwide to reflect on issues concerning the family. He observed that the Church continues to face the challenge of people failing to take the Sacrament of Matrimony seriously.
He called on heads of families to introduce young people to the realities and responsibilities of married life so that they can make informed and responsible choices when selecting marriage partners. He added that the Lay Apostolate Commission would communicate further on the matter.
Reflecting on the Gospel message that God knows even the number of hairs on every person’s head, Bishop Rubaramira reminded the faithful that God knows each individual uniquely and personally.
He urged Christians to draw closer to God, give Him a special place in their lives and allow Him to guide them in fulfilling His will.
Government Commits to Continued Partnership with the Church
Representing the Government of Uganda, the Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, thanked everyone who participated in the pilgrimage and recognised the Catholic Church’s contribution to the country’s socio-economic development.
He particularly acknowledged the Church’s role in providing healthcare services through its numerous health facilities and pledged continued government partnership with the Church to improve service delivery.
The Minister raised concern over the country’s burden of communicable diseases, alongside the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases. He observed that up to 75 per cent of diseases are preventable and called on the Church to integrate health education and disease prevention messages into its preaching and pastoral activities.
Dr. Baryomunsi also recalled that the 2026 national Martyrs celebrations had been affected by the Ebola outbreak. He noted, however, that Uganda was currently Ebola-free, while warning that the disease remained a concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it had reportedly claimed more than 5,000 lives.
He urged dioceses bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly Kabale, Fort Portal, Kasese and Hoima, to remain vigilant and support efforts aimed at preventing the spread of the disease.
Kabale Diocese to Host the 2027 MEPA Pilgrimage
The pilgrimage concluded with the presentation of the symbolic lit candle to Kabale Diocese, which will take responsibility for organising and animating the 2027 MEPA pilgrimage.
The handover marked the transition of responsibility to Kabale Diocese, with the faithful called upon to continue drawing inspiration from the Uganda Martyrs by deepening their faith, promoting unity and living out the Gospel in their daily lives.