Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from within Uganda and abroad gathered for the annual Martyrs Day celebrations for 2025 at the Catholic Shrine in Namugongo. From all continents of the world, Africa, Europe, Asia, America and Australia pilgrims were welcomed by the main celebrant Rt. Rev. Christopher Kakooza, the Ordinary of the Lugazi Diocese that animated at this year’s Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations.
In his Homily at the Martyrs’ lake Namugongo, Bishop Kakooza first paid tribute to the new Pope, Leo XIV who is barely 26 days as supreme pontiff. He said that Pope Leo comes to lead God’s flock to holiness and invited the entire faithful to unite in prayer for his successful pastoral work. He also prayed for the late Pope Francis and underscored the deeper reflection on the theme of the 2025 Jubilee year, to be Pilgrims of Hope, where said A pilgrimage is a journey of faith, by a person of faith to a place of faith to strengthen faith. Pilgrimage is a spiritual journey in quest for faith, penance seeking to encounter God’s grace and revelation to holiness.
Bishop Kakooza said that life is full of challenges but with Hope the cornerstone of the Christian life, inspires love, motivation and selfless service to all. This is further supported by the Christian virtues that are prayer and acts of charity in communion with God to withstand worldly struggles.
He reminded the congregation that the Uganda Martyrs gave their life for Christ; saint Charles Lwanga, Matia Mulumba and the companions were tested like gold in the furnace, persecuted but stood firm to their pilgrimage to Namugongo from which they gained greatness in Jesus Christ from which Uganda and the entire Catholic Church draws Spiritual recognition. This spiritual journey and achievement should be jealously protected and lived like the late Pope Francis implored Ugandans in November 2015 to be witnesses of Christ inspired by the Uganda Martyrs.
Having been curved out of Kampala Archdiocese, Lugazi Diocese was erected in February 1997 and last animated Namugongo in 2003 under Rt. Rev. Matthias Ssekamanya (now Bishop Emeritus). During the 2024 Diocesan day Bishop Kakooza launched the preparatory meeting of over 100 members who draw plans of mobilizing for both material and financial support from schools, institutions, Christians and well wishes which has helped the Diocese to have a colourful celebration.
On May 30, 2025, the Central government confirmed to have disbursed UGX 4.2 billion to support the Martyrs celebrations. According to Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Martin Bahinduka Mugarra, the Catholics and Anglicans got UGX 2 billion respectively, while UGX 200 billion went to the Muslim Community.
This Year’s celebration was under the theme drawn from inspiration of the Jubilee Year declared by the late Pope Francis: “Oh Lord, let me see again, your pilgrim of Hope”, the angelic voices from a choir of 500 members drawn from the 34 parishes of the diocese presented a colourful performance. The Mass started at 10am with the procession from the Basilica led by the cross bearer and relics of the Uganda Martyrs followed by the catechists, priests, Bishops, Archbishops, Main Celebrant and Papal knights.
The homily by Bishop Christopher Kakooza was in English and Luganda, was also translated into various languages, French, Luo, Swahili, Runyoro-Rutooro and Acholi. The Mass was attended by the four metropolitan archbishops; His Grace Paul Ssemogerere (Kampala Archdiocese), His Grace Emmanuel Obbo (Tororo Archdiocese), His Grace Raphael Wokorach of Gulu and His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha (Mbarara Archdiocese). Pope Nuncio to Slovenia and Slovakia, Archbishop Luigi Bianco, Pope Nuncio Emeritus Archbishop Augustine Kasujja and Antoine Cardinal Kambanda Archbishop of Kigali in Rwanda were also in presence. The Central government was represented by the Vice President, Major (Rtd) Jessica Alupo.