A Martyrs Day with no Lwanga
The late Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga (left), then Anglican Archbishop Stanley Ntagali (2nd left), and South Ankole Diocese Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe (2nd right) at the Catholic Martyrs’ Shrine, Namugongo in 2018. Photo | File.
What you need to know:
- The prelate passed away on April 3 after suffering a heart attack and was laid to rest at Rubanga Cathedral in Kampala.
Christians will celebrate Martyrs Day without the late Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.
The prelate passed away on April 3 after suffering a heart attack and was laid to rest at Rubanga Cathedral in Kampala.
Dr Lwanga was appointed Kampala Archbishop in 2006 and served in the position until his death. Prior to that, Dr Lwanga served as the Bishop of Kasana-Luweero from 1996 to 2006.
Father Vincent Lubega, the Parish Priest of Namugongo Catholic Parish, said whereas Dr Lwanga was always instrumental in the activities of the Church and organising of the Martyrs Day, he mainly offered a leadership role to the committees that would diligently work under his guidance for a successful commemoration.
“Archbishop (the late Dr Lwanga) was working on behalf of the church. He was not alone. He worked with committees. He was a leader but the committees were there and the committees are still around,” Fr Lubega said in a interview on Tuesday.
He added: “During his burial, Bishop Paul Ssemogere took on the mantle. There is no vacuum anywhere now. The leadership is still there and those assisting the leadership are also there.”
For the second year running, the Uganda Martyrs will be commemorated virtually with only 200 invited guests.
“A small group of people from Masaka Diocese are going to pray at the shrine which we have already arranged. Everything is in place,” Fr Lubega said.
He added: “We are going to invite the media to cover the event for the people at home. Before they were coming, but now we are meeting them in their homes.”
Fr Lubega said those who want to make a pilgrimage to Namugongo can still do so on other days in smaller numbers to ensure standard operating procedures are observed but said sleeping at the shrines will not be allowed.
Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu Archdiocese called upon pilgrims to commit to God and be inspired by the virtues for which the martyrs were killed about 136 years ago.
“Remember, the gate pass for these young people (martyrs) was dying for their faith,” Archbishop Odama said.
Background
Uganda Martyrs
The Uganda Martyrs are a group 45 Africans who converted to Christianity.
They consisted of 23 Anglicans and 22 Catholics.
Between January 31, 1885 and January 17, 1887, the group was executed for their Christian faith on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda.
In 1920, the Catholic group were collectively beatified by Pope Benedict XV and canonised by Pope Paul VI on October 18, 1964.
