By Spy Uganda
Hundreds of thousands of Christians celebrated this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day at Namugongo shrine in a very somber mood, after religious leaders, both Catholics and Anglicans agreed that there would not be a mass gathering like the case has been in the past.
At the Namugongo Catholic Shrine mass which was sang by his Grace Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, was attended by a few priests and bishops, although it was televised on local TV stations, such that believers could pray through their TV sets.
On the other hand, the Speaker of Parliament represented government at the Church of Uganda prayers at the Anglican Martyrs Shrine, where prayers were led by Archbishop Dr Steven Kazimba Mugalu.
While giving his sermon during the service, Dr Kazimba Mugalu, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, said that “We are looking forward to the day churches will be opened. We think we can make it because we are more organized than the market places. ”
Meanwhile we have established that a few pilgrims who managed to reach Namugongo were blocked from entering the Martyrs’ Shrine and left with no choice, they attended the prayers from outside the fence.
Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema, who heads the State House Anti-corruption Unit, wished Ugandans a very happy Martyrs’ Day by tweeting thus;
“We join people of faith around the world in commemorating #MartyrsDay. Their bravery should inspire us to stand firmly for what we believe to be right. For God and My Country.”
