By Spy Uganda
Catholics and Protestants from all over the world will for the first time in Uganda’s history not celebrate the annual Martyrs Day which is held at the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, as a way of preventing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) among Ugandans.
We have established from credible sources that the Catholic Church in Uganda has cancelled Namugongo Martyrs Day celebrations, because it will necessitate several people not only in Uganda but also from neighbouring countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and others to gather together, which will breach the Ministry of Health guideline on Social Distance.
The revelation was made by Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa, the Chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), an umbrella body of all Bishops in Uganda, in a letter dated April 29, 2020.
Bishop Zziwa said in his letter that Masaka Diocese will not be in position to organise the 2020 Namugongo Marty’s Day Celebrations as scheduled, citing restrictions imposed by government to halt the spread of Coronavirus.
“Rt. Rev. Severus Jjumba, the Bishop of Masaka Diocese, has officially informed me that his diocese will not be in position to organise the 2020 Namugongo Marty’s Day Celebrations,” Bishop Zziwa’s letter reads in part.
He noted that position of Masaka Diocese should be understood in light of the fact that organizing the celebrations at Namugongo requires frequent meetings involving several people including government’s security agencies, which is currently impossible, yet the day for the celebrations, which is June 3rd, is fast approaching.
He added that; “Further, it requires unfettered movements of persons participating in the organization of the event. Above all, with the virus still alive in many countries including Uganda, it is not certain when restrictions on gatherings and movements will be lifted.”
He concluded that; “I trust that you understand the situation and accept to postpone the Uganda Martyrs Day which was supposed to be held in May and June 2020.”
Bishop Zziwa noted that the Episcopal Conference will come up with another arrangement which will be communicated to all Christians at a later date.
