Martyrs' Day 2025: Pilgrims from host dioceses arrive, jubilate ahead of fete

Some of the pilgrims from Lugazi Diocese trek towards Namugongo Catholic Shrine in Wakiso District on June 1, 2025, ahead of the annual June 3 Martyrs' Day.  PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

After a journey of 12-days, Anglican Pilgrims from the host dioceses of Northern Uganda arrived at Namugongo Anglican Marty's site on June 1 for the annual June 3 Martyrs' Day celebrations. PHOTO/GEOFREYMUTUMBA

A foot pilgrim from Lugazi Diocese gestures upon arriving at Namugongo to take part in this year's Martyrs' Day celebrations at the catholic Shrine due June 3, 2025. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

Pilgrims dance in celebration after arriving at Namugongo Catholic Shrine ahead of this year’s June 3 (2025) Martyrs’ Day celebrations. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

 Anglican Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, health minister Jane Ruth Aceng and other guests inspect the Uganda Martyrs Anglican Site in Namugongo on June 1 ahead of the June 3 Uganda Martyrs' Day. PHOTO/ ISAAC KASAMANI

Some of the pilgrims from Lugazi Diocese jubilant after they arrived at Park Leonis in Sonde where they made a stopover before heading to Namugongo catholic shrine yesterday, 1st June 2025.  PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

Bishop Christopher Kakooza (left) of Lugazi Diocese and Rev Fr Vincent Lubega (right), parish priest of Namugongo, receive pilgrims from Lugazi Diocese at the Catholic Shrine in Namugongo on June 1, 2025. Lugazi is leading this year’s Martyrs’ Day celebrations. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

Bishop Christopher Kakooza of Lugazi Diocese (in black cassock) blesses believers at Namugongo Catholic Shrine on June 1, 2025, as pilgrims from Lugazi arrive ahead of Martyrs’ Day. Looking on are Msgr Richard Kayongo, the diocesan vicar general (left), Lugazi Woman MP Diana Mutasingwa, and Rev Fr Vincent Lubega, the parish priest of Namugongo. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng joins Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu of the Church of Uganda and other officials to inspect the Uganda Martyrs Anglican Site in Namugongo on June 1, ahead of Martyrs’ Day commemorations on June 3. In the image, a church official shows her a wall painting of Namirembe Cathedral. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

In this combination of images, Anglican pilgrims from Northern Uganda gesture in celebration upon arriving in Wakiso District ahead of the June 3 Martyrs’ Day commemorations. PHOTOS/GEOFREYMUTUMBA

Pilgrims pray in front of a sculpture depicting martyrdom at the Namugongo Catholic Shrine on June 1, 2025, ahead of the Martyrs’ Day celebrations held every June 3 to honour Uganda’s Christian martyrs. PHOTO/GEOFREY MUTUMBA

After a 12-day trek, Anglican pilgrims from the host dioceses of Northern Uganda arrive at the Uganda Martyrs Anglican Site in Namugongo on June 1, ahead of the annual Martyrs’ Day celebrations on June 3. PHOTO/GEOFREY MUTUMBA

Pilgrims pray in front of a sculpture depicting martyrdom at the Namugongo Catholic Shrine on June 1, 2025, ahead of the Martyrs’ Day celebrations held every June 3 to honour Uganda’s Christian martyrs. PHOTO/GEOFREY MUTUMBA

Pilgrims touch a sculpture depicting martyrdom at the Namugongo Catholic Shrine on June 1, 2025. The shrine annually draws tens of thousands for the Martyrs’ Day celebrations held every June 3 to honour Uganda’s Christian martyrs. PHOTO/GEOFREY MUTUMBA