By Spy Uganda
The rector Namugongo Shrine Rev Fr. Vicent Lubega has says arrangements commemoration of the Uganda Martyrs Day scheduled for June 3, 2023 at the Martyrs shrines have been finalized.
The feast day of Charles Lwanga and the twelve others who died on 3 June 1886 is included in the General Roman Calendar, while the nine remaining martyrs are commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on their respective dates of death.
This religious holiday has been observed since 1975 and is of great significance to the Ugandan people. It celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of the 45 Christians who chose execution rather than renouncing their faith, at a time of great social and political strife caused by religious tensions.
Fr Lubega appealed to all pilgrims still trekking to the shrines to abide by the traffic rules and security guidelines by enforcement agencies to avoid any inconveniences on their way.
So far, a thousands have already arrived in Namugongo including the 200 pilgrims that include men, women and few children, Fr Patrick Murunga Karioki, noted that this year’s journey has attracted more females.
”This time round we started early because of the current rains where we sometimes make stopovers when the rains intensify and this affects the distance to be covered. On average, we are supposed to cover at least 45-50 kilometers per day. We have trust that by June 1, 2023 we shall have reached Namugongo Shrines,” he added.
