Celebrating Namugongo Martyrs’ Day: Kasana-Luweero Diocesan Treasurer General Challenges Youth to Become Modern-Day Martyrs
isaacsemwangaCelebrating Namugongo Martyrs’ Day: Kasana-Luweero Diocesan Treasurer General Challenges Youth to Become Modern-Day Martyrs
By BERNARD BAKALU
LUWEERO
June 3, 2026
Rev. Fr. Achilles Kiwanuka administers the Holy Eucharist to a member of the faithful during the Holy Mass commemorating Uganda Martyrs’ Day at Kasana Cathedral on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
The solemn ‘sound of church bells’ echoed across Our Lady of Fatima Queen of Peace Kasana Cathedral on Wednesday morning as hundreds of faithful gathered to commemorate the feast of the Uganda Martyrs.
Though the annual national pilgrimage to Namugongo had been postponed due to the Ebola outbreak, the spirit of the martyrs remained alive in the hearts of believers who assembled for prayer and Holy Mass within their respective dioceses.
At Kasana Cathedral, the celebration began at 8:00 a.m. with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Rev. Fr. Achilles Kiwanuka, the Treasurer General of Kasana-Luweero Diocese.
He was joined at the altar by Rev. Fr. Tony Sekimpi and Rev. Fr. Joseph Mukasa as co-celebrants.
The cathedral was filled with prayerful silence as the faithful lifted their voices in hymns of thanksgiving, remembering the heroic witness of the Uganda Martyrs whose blood became the seed of Christianity in Uganda.
In a sermon rich with history, symbolism, and spiritual reflection, Fr. Kiwanuka invited the congregation to journey in spirit to Namugongo, the sacred ground where many of the martyrs offered their lives for Christ.
With a touch of drama that captured the attention of the congregation, he warmly greeted the faithful, saying:
“I welcome you all here to Namugongo.”
The congregation smiled as the priest transformed the cathedral into a symbolic pilgrimage site. He then announced the presence of representatives from the four ecclesiastical provinces of Uganda—Kampala, Gulu, Mbarara, and Tororo—just as happens during the national celebrations at Namugongo.
Fr. Kiwanuka explained that among those gathered were individuals who had family, marriage, or personal connections to each of the archdioceses. One by one, representatives stood up, creating a vivid image of the unity of the Church in Uganda despite the absence of the physical pilgrimage.
The priest reminded the faithful that this year’s national celebration was to be animated by the Diocese of Kasese under the rotational arrangement observed by the Church.
Although circumstances had prevented the gathering at Namugongo, he emphasized that no disease could prevent believers from honoring the martyrs and drawing inspiration from their witness.
Turning to the history of the Uganda Martyrs, Fr. Kiwanuka reflected on the courage of the young converts who remained steadfast in their faith even in the face of persecution and death.
He recounted how the Church originally recognized 22 Catholic martyrs before the inclusion of David and Okello brought the number to 24.
He also reminded the congregation of the glorious moment in 1964 when the martyrs were canonized by Pope Paul VI, raising them to the honor of the universal Church.
“The Uganda Martyrs were not ordinary men,” he said. “They were young people who chose Christ above everything else. They surrendered their lives rather than abandon their faith.”
He further noted that the tradition of the June 3 pilgrimage to Namugongo has now endured for more than five decades, becoming one of the largest annual gatherings of Christians on the African continent.
Reflecting on the martyrs’ final journey, Fr. Kiwanuka explained that thirteen were executed at Namugongo while others met their deaths at Munyonyo, Nakivubo, and Old Kampala after enduring immense suffering along the way.
Yet, he reminded the faithful that the celebration of Martyrs’ Day is not merely about remembering historical events.
“It is not enough to come here today and pray,” he told the congregation. “The martyrs challenge us to live what we profess. Their witness calls us to stand firm in faith, just as they did.”
His message then turned particularly toward the youth, whom he described as the hope of both the Church and society.
With pastoral concern, Fr. Kiwanuka observed that many young people today display remarkable commitment when it comes to politics and sports.
They passionately support political causes and foreign football clubs, often dedicating significant time and energy to these interests.
However, he lamented that the same enthusiasm is not always seen in matters of faith.
“When young people are asked to read in church, many are reluctant,” he said. “Yet they can passionately support a football club or be easily mobilized for other causes.”
He warned that some youths are vulnerable to manipulation by political actors and are often drawn into activities that do not promote the common good.
For this reason, he called upon the entire Church to pray earnestly for the younger generation.
“We must pray for our youth,” he urged. “May they become the martyrs of our generation—not by shedding blood, but by standing for truth, holiness, integrity, and faithfulness to Christ.”
The priest challenged young people to become modern-day martyrs by resisting corruption, rejecting immoral influences, defending the dignity of human life, and remaining faithful to the teachings of the Gospel despite the pressures of the modern world.
As the Holy Mass ended, the faithful departed with renewed admiration for the Uganda Martyrs and a deeper understanding of their enduring message.
Though the roads to Namugongo remained quiet this year, the spirit of pilgrimage lived on within the walls of Kasana Cathedral.
Rev. Fr. Achilles Kiwanuka administers the Holy Eucharist to a member of the faithful during the Holy Mass commemorating Uganda Martyrs’ Day at Kasana Cathedral on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Mukasa [Assistant Cathedral Administrator] administers the Holy Eucharist to a member of the faithful during the Holy Mass commemorating Uganda Martyrs’ Day at Kasana Cathedral on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
Some of the faithful attending Holy Mass commemorating Uganda Martyrs’ Day at Kasana Cathedral on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
A section of the faithful participates prayerfully in the Holy Mass commemorating the Solemnity of the Uganda Martyrs at Kasana Cathedral on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
The Church choir leads the congregation in sacred hymns during the Holy Mass commemorating the Solemnity of the Uganda Martyrs at Kasana Cathedral on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
The Choir renders sacred hymns during the Holy Mass commemorating the Solemnity of the Uganda Martyrs at Kasana Cathedral on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. PHOTO BY BERNARD BAKALU.
-END-
