KAMPALA – Following the ban on mass gatherings in a way to fight coronavirus spread in the country, Church of Uganda has announced that it will celebrate the Martyrs day with very few invited people.
The annual celebration marked on June 3 brings together Christians from all over the world to remember the martyrdom of several young men killed by Kabaka Mwanga in 1880s.
The Provisional Secretary Rev Canon William Ongeng in a statement noted that this year’s celebrations are for a few people due to the government restrictions on public gatherings because of COVID-19.
“The President was invited as the chief Guest,” he revealed.
Ongeng further noted that The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu will on June 1, 2020 make an on site visit to Namugongo.
“And, thereafter, will address a press conference together with the the Chairman of Namugongo Development Committee, Retired Bishop Jackson Matovu and the Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, Rt Rev Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira,” reads an excerpt.
He said further details on the program will be communicated during Monday’s press conference.
The development comes after the Uganda Episcopal Conference, a body that brings together Catholic Bishops in Uganda, postponed this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Bishop Antony Zziwa, the chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, in an April 29, 2020 letter to his fellow Bishops, requested that this year’s celebrations be postponed owing to the threat of coronavirus that limits public gatherings.
He added, that Masaka Catholic Diocese, which was to organize this year’s celebrations, has written to him, saying that they are unprepared to host the event.
