The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Munyonyo, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | There were colorful scenes of worship and praise as Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere presided over celebrations by Kampala Ecclesiastical Province to mark the 60th Anniversary today of the Canonization of the Uganda Martyrs. Thousands converged on Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations attended by Bishops Joseph Zziwa of Kiyinda Mityana, Lawrence Mukasa of Kasana Luweero, Serverus Jjumba of Masaka and Christopher Kakooza of Lugazi. The Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine in Kampala, Uganda is a significant site in the history of the Catholic Church and the Uganda Martyrs, and is important in martyrs celebrations. The shrine is believed to be the starting point of the final journey of the Uganda Martyrs to Namugongo for execution.
YOUTUBE VIDEO
Back in time – on Mission Sunday, October 18th 1964 – the 22 Catholic Martyrs of Uganda were proclaimed Saints by Pope Paul VI in St Peter’s Basilica Rome. Charles Lwanga, Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe, Mugagga, Andrew Kaggwa and their colleagues, laid the ground for religious faith in Uganda. It was at Munyonyo where King Mwanga took the fateful decision to begin putting Christians to death. The blood of Ugandan’s martyrs was shed on the soil around Munyonyo. The first three Christians to render their lives for Christ’s sake after the King’s decision did so on 26 May 1886 – they were: St. Denis Ssebugwawo, St. Andrew Kaggwa and St. Pontiano Ngondwe. Sixty years later, a celebration was held today to mark the diamond jubilee that had best of dance, a powerful homily by the Archbishop, choir maestros doing their thing, and grand procession of priests. Politicians Salam Musumba and Justine Lumumba, plus former Joseph Mulwanyammuli Ssemwogerere joined in the celebration. It ended with the Bishops planting a tree in remembrance of the day.
History of Munyonyo
Ten years ago, in 2014, Uganda celebrated 50 years since the Uganda Martyrs were canonized and elevated to Sainthood by Pope Paul VI on 18 October 1964. Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Munyonyo is a thanksgiving monument for their canonization. Official groundbreaking was on 3 May 2015 by Papal Nuncio to Uganda; Archbishop Michael A. Blume and Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala. Redevelopment includes construction of new church shrine, museum, offices and martyrdom spots of the saints.
Since October 2013, the shrine has been administered by a Franciscan religious order of Greyfriars – Conventual Franciscans.
Pope Francis visited and blessed the cornerstone of the Shrine on 27 November 2015 during his journey to Africa. The construction of the new church was completed in 2016 and the shrine was consecrated on 28 October 2017 by Cardinal Fernando Filoni.
On 19 July 2019, The Holy See granted the church the title and dignity of a Minor Basilica. The decree was signed by Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on behalf of Pope Francis. (source wikipedia)
*******
RELATED STORIES
