Christians mark virtual Martyrs Day
Part of the view of the Namugongo Catholic Shrine on June 3, 2021. PHOTOS | DAVID LUBOWA | RACHEL | MABALA
What you need to know:
- A number of religious leaders and the laity condemned the attack and said more needs to be done to secure the lives of Ugandans.
- In Fort Portal Diocese, Virika Parish priest Rev Fr Titus Winyi accused the government of laxity in enforcing the existing laws to end insecurity and violence in the country.
Yesterday’s Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations were dominated by the condemnation of Tuesday’s attack on Works minister Gen Edward Katumba Wamala.
A number of religious leaders and the laity condemned the attack and said more needs to be done to secure the lives of Ugandans.
In Fort Portal Diocese, Virika Parish priest Rev Fr Titus Winyi accused the government of laxity in enforcing the existing laws to end insecurity and violence in the country.
“Someone commits crime and is imprisoned but within days, he is granted bail. Such a person goes back to the community and commits another crime and this is because we are lacking the enforcement of laws, those who are enforcing the law are relaxing,” Fr Winyi said.
In Bushenyi District, Prof Tarsis Kabwegyere, the former minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, asked Christians to stand up and speak against injustices in society.
While attending a mass at St Kagwa Catholic Parish in Ishaka-Bushenyi Municipality, Prof Kabwegyere said the rising killings are some of the temptations attempting to divert Christians from God.
Fr Charles Mugisha, the St Kagwa Parish priest, asked Christians to watch against trials and temptations that affect their faith.
At Soroti Cathedral, Rev Fr Robert Amoni challenged Christians to emulate the martyrs who shed their blood for their faith.
Up north in Lira, Fr Elvis Ojok of Uganda Martyrs Cathedral called upon Christians to surrender their lives to God if they are to attain eternal life.
Fr Ojok further urged Christians to follow the footsteps of the Uganda Martyrs and be witnesses of Christ in order for them to enter the kingdom of God.
In Mityana Diocese, the authorities unveiled plans to develop the martyrs’ shrine at Kiyinda .The parish priest, Fr Steven Lusiba, said they are planning to put up a leisure centre, which will generate income for the diocese, and urged Christians to support the project.
In Tororo Archdiocese, a cross section of Christians requested the Episcopal Conference to decentralise the celebrations of the Martyrs’ Day.
During prayers at St Kizito chapel, Mr Alex Okoth Owori, a member of Namwaya Parish Council, said decentralising the event reduces the cost and risks involved in travelling to Namugongo.
Mr Francis Onyango Magara, another church leader, also said decentralising the celebrations would curb likely accidents and theft of people’s property.
Ms Mary Achieng, another Christian, said celebrating the day locally favours many Christians, especially the old, children and persons with disabilities and others, who cannot meet the cost of travelling to Namugongo.
Compiled by Alex Ashaba, Esther Oluka, George Muron, Joseph Omollo, Milton Bandiho, Bill Oketch & Jessica Nabukenya
