The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
The Kiyinda-Mityana diocese together with the Uganda Episcopal Conference and the Uganda Tourism Board have organised a faith-based walk on Sunday May 22. The walk and Martyrs Day activities will be marketed globally.
Martyrs Day, to celebrate the martyrdom of Uganda’s martyrs, attracts national, regional and international visitors annually. Organisers say so far, 10 countries that have confirmed their participation in the walk.
The symbolic pilgrimage walk under the theme;’ The Truth will set you free’ will commence from Munyonyo Martyrs Shine at 8am and end at St. Matia Mulumba Church at Old Kampala.
The day’s mass will be graced by Bishop Anthony Zziwa and Miria Mutagamba as the Chief Pilgrim. The Kiyinda Mityana diocese under Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa has been chosen to lead Martyrs day Celebrations 2016.
Rev. Lazarus Kiggundu, Chairperson of the organising committee for Uganda Martyrs Celebrations 2016 briefed the press on Thursday.
The walk starts at Munyonyo in remembrance of the first three Christians that were killed that include St. Dennis Ssebuggwawo, St Andrew Kaggwa and St. Pontiano Ngondwe on May 26 1886.
Some martyrs were killed on the way, and those will mark as stop over moments for prayer. They are Kyamula along Salama road and St. Balikuddembe in Owino market in remembrance of Pontiano and St. Athanasius. At the last martyr point at St. Matia Mulumba, there will be mass start at 3pm.
Bishop Zzowa will officially flag of foot pilgrims from 28 parishes in Siyanda Mityana Diocese at the Cathedral mass at 3pm on May 29 2016.
Besides the sh450 million budgeted for the event, the organisers are short of 150million but are hopefully that the money will be availed at the last moment. For the walk, Movit and Riham have offered to provide refreshments.
Uganda Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Steven Assimwe confirmed their support.
“This is our signature event in Uganda because there is no other country in the World that experienced the martyrs’ death. The public should utilize this opportunity to provide services whether in accommodation, transport and food.”
“We are grateful to the governments’ support in regards to physical infrastructure spent on 10billion in Namungogo, security and also plans are underway for the three Public Relations and Marketing firms chosen by President Museveni Yoweri that will market the event in English Speaking Countries, Germany, Australia and Switzerland.”
