The Prime Minister of Uganda, Robinah Nabbanja represented president Yoweri Museveni as chief guest at the catholic shrines to mark Martys day celebration.
In his speech read by Nabbanja, President, Museveni noted that the martyrs showed the resistance potential of Ugandans, as the new young converts resisted the ignorance and corruption of Kabaka Mwanga.
He noted that from their resistance, thousands were enlightened and defeated the violence of traditional leaders against the human race.
Museveni noted it is a betrayal of the martyrs to get actors promoting all forms of sectarianism as this doesn’t rhyme with the principle of religion.
Museveni said that for years the religion has ended up promoting sectarian ideologies manifesting in social contrasts and political grouping, which sow civil wars and mistrust among the new believers.
He hastened to add that it’s good to note that different religions have now come together under the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda-IRCU to address common challenges.
To him, religions should desist from promoting sectarian tendencies as they are unchristian and unIslamic which had turned the faith for, which the martyrs died into hypocrisy.
President Museveni adds that as the faithful fight against sectarianism, they should also focus on projects that will draw them out of poverty.
At the end of the Mass, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among gave out USD 1000 (approximately 3.5 million Shillings) to the youngest and oldest pilgrims at the shrines. This year’s martyr’s day celebration comes after a two-year lull due to the COVID-19 induced lockdown and restrictions.
Fort Portal Diocese, which last animated the martyr’s day celebration 25 years ago led today’s event, under the theme, “Baptized and sent to witness Christ with love and hope”.
Uganda’s Martyrs’ day holiday commemorates the late 19th-century martyrdom of 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic men who were put to death on the orders of then-King of Buganda Mwanga II for having converted to Christianity.
