Uganda Martyrs Day: President Urges Christians to Lead by Example in Fostering Peace

He lamented that rather than fostering peace and unity, many people in the region including Christians resolve to use guns in solving their issues.

“Therefore, I besiege all believers to do all that is necessary to bring peace in our East African countries,” President Museveni said, adding, “It is only after fostering peace in our region that we should now embark on eradicating poverty.”

Credit: ACI Africa

In his speech at the June 3 event, the Ugandan president acknowledged with appreciation the collaboration of religious leaders and the government of the East African country in curbing religious and tribal divisions.

“I want to thank the believers in Uganda and their religious leaders… this is because, before the 1960s and even after, Ugandans were divided according to tribes and religion,” he said, adding, “This was part of the chaos that engulfed Uganda.”

Credit: ACI Africa

President Museveni decried what he described as hypocrisy among religious leaders in the country, saying, “You who claim to be religious are more unreligious than those who are irreligious and you were dividing our people.”

“We advocated for unity devoid of religiosity,” he said, and added, “I want to thank Ugandans very much because they embraced the call for unity that we are still enjoying up to now.”.

The Ugandan president further lauded the Nebbi Catholic Diocese for animating this year’s pilgrimage which he described as “enriching.”

Credit: ACI Africa

He also acknowledged the presence of Mary Nyerere who he said had always attended the pilgrimage at Namugongo to pray for the beatification and canonization of her spouse, Servant of God Julius Kambarage Nyerere.

Pope Benedict XVI declared Tanzania’s first president Servant of God on 13 May 2005.

In his June 3 speech, President Museveni said, “I want to thank Mary Nyerere for coming here every moment we have this pilgrimage to pray for the beatification of Julius Nyerere.”

 “I am a witness to the good work of Julius Nyerere”,  President Museveni who has been at the helm of the East African nation since 1986 said, urging the believers at the event to emulate the late Tanzanian president for his heroic virtues.

Credit: ACI Africa

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Namugongo Shrine is a large property covering the site where St. Charles Lwanga and his companions, who included pages at the royal court, were burned alive by the order of Kabaka (King) Mwanga II of the Buganda kingdom.

Thus, the Uganda Martyrs’ Day dates back to the first decade of Christian presence in the East African nation when 45 men aged between 14 to 50 years were killed because of their faith by the King of Buganda between 31 January 1885 and 27 January 1887.

Among the 45 were 22 Catholics beatified in 1920 and canonized in 1964. These martyrs continue to inspire the Catholic faith in the East African nation.