Thousands of African pilgrims gathered at Namugongo Shrine to honor the Uganda Martyrs, celebrating faith and hope in a powerful pilgrimage.
Newsroom, June 6, 2025, Gaudium Press – Kampala, Uganda – On Tuesday, June 3, thousands of pilgrims from across Africa convened at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo to commemorate the feast of the 22 Catholics executed between 1885 and 1887 by order of King Mwanga II of Buganda for refusing to renounce their Catholic faith.
“O Lord, Make Me See Again, Your Pilgrim of Hope”
This year’s celebration was led by the Diocese of Lugazi under the theme: “O Lord, make me see again, I, your pilgrim of hope.” The Holy Mass was presided over by Bishop Christopher Kakooza of the Diocese of Lugazi. In his homily, the bishop described Namugongo as a sacred place of faith and hope.
Addressing the multitude of pilgrims filling the Namugongo Shrine, Bishop Kakooza expressed gratitude to God for the gift of the Holy Martyrs and urged the faithful to unite in prayer. He also encouraged them to offer prayers of thanksgiving for the gift of the new Pope, Leo XIV.
A Journey of Faith and Hope Strengthening the Faithful
Furthermore, he emphasized that pilgrimage is a journey of faith and hope that strengthens the faithful. A holy pilgrimage is undertaken by people of faith who walk with Jesus towards holiness. “With one voice, we set out to cry out to the Lord with hope. The Lord embraced the small faith of Charles Lwanga and his companions and transformed it into something grand.”
“We may face challenges, but our hope calls us to transcend worldly attractions. We are invited to participate in this spiritual journey of communion with God and with others. It is a journey that requires resilience and perseverance. Our struggles on Earth are temporary,” he concluded.
Munyonyo Shrine
At the site of the Munyonyo Shrine, the Uganda Martyrs were condemned to death, and some were killed there. The final execution of most of them took place in Namugongo. The Uganda Martyrs were canonized by Pope Saint Paul VI in 1964. The country has received visits from three Popes: Saint Paul VI in 1969; Saint John Paul II in 1993; and Pope Francis in 2015.
Compiled by Adele Wong
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