Preparations for this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day prayers at the Christian Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo have been finalized, with organizers announcing major changes to the annual celebrations, including a drastic reduction in the number of choir singers from 600 to only 30.
Every year on June 3rd, thousands of pilgrims from Uganda and different parts of the world travel to Namugongo to commemorate the Uganda Martyrs who were killed because of their Christian faith. The celebrations normally attract huge crowds, with believers walking long distances to take part in prayers and religious activities at the shrine.
This year’s celebrations were organized by Uganda Christian University (UCU), which had been entrusted by the House of Bishops to coordinate the annual event. However, preparations were disrupted after the outbreak of Ebola, forcing organizers and government authorities to introduce strict health measures aimed at preventing the spread of the disease.
As a result, pilgrims who had already started traveling from different countries and districts were advised to return home, while public attendance at the shrine was suspended.
Unlike previous years when the venue would be filled with thousands of worshippers, tomorrow’s prayers will only be attended by a small number of invited guests. The prayers will be led by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, together with a few selected clergy members.
The entire service will instead be broadcast live on various television and radio stations to enable Christians to participate remotely from their homes and churches.
Speaking during a press conference held at Uganda Christian University, the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee and Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Rev. Prof. John Kitayimbwa, revealed that one of the major adjustments involved reducing the choir from 600 members to only 30 singers.
According to Prof. Kitayimbwa, the choir will comprise selected members from Uganda Christian University and Kisaasi Church of Uganda choir.
“We have reduced the choir numbers from 600 to only 30 people in line with the health guidelines issued because of the Ebola outbreak. Despite the reduction, worship will remain lively and spiritually uplifting,” he said.
He warned members of the public against attempting to force their way into Namugongo, noting that security around the shrine had been significantly tightened and that the area would remain restricted until Friday.
Prof. Kitayimbwa also cautioned believers against misconceptions surrounding the shrine water, emphasizing that true faith should come from within rather than relying on physical objects.
“People should understand that tomorrow is not going to be the usual Martyrs Day celebration. It will instead be a special day of prayer as we wait for further guidance from the government,” he explained.
He urged churches across the country to comply with all government directives intended to safeguard lives during the Ebola outbreak, although he noted that the temporary suspension of normal celebrations would not significantly affect the church calendar.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at UCU, David Mugawe, thanked the House of Bishops for entrusting the university with organizing this year’s event.
Mugawe said the university had focused on improving the overall appearance of the shrine grounds, upgrading the water systems, and improving sanitation facilities that had previously been inadequate.
He added that the two billion shillings provided by the government, together with an additional one billion shillings contributed by UCU, had been properly utilized to improve the site.
“We have invested the funds in improving sanitation, water systems, and the general environment at the shrine. Once the disease outbreak is contained, we encourage people to come and appreciate the improvements made,” Mugawe said.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the University Council and Bishop of Lango Diocese, Rt. Rev. Alfred Olwa, confirmed that all preparations for the prayers had been completed successfully.
Bishop Olwa urged pilgrims to stay away from the shrine physically and instead follow the prayers through live broadcasts.
He announced that the prayers would officially begin at 9:00 a.m.
Despite the restrictions and scaled-down arrangements, church leaders expressed hope that Christians across the country would remain united in prayer as they commemorate the faith and sacrifice of the Uganda Martyrs.
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