Shrines are Built in Honor of the Uganda Martyrs 1960 -2000s

It is written that approximately 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic Christians were martyred between 1885 and 1887, firmly standing in their Christian faith by Kabaka (King) Mwanga II, the then Kabaka (King) of the Buganda Kingdom.

This display of courage and faith was first recognized by Joshua Serufusa-Zake (1884–25 June 1985) when he was the Sabaddu of Kira Sub-County. He went on to construct a small structure at the Namugongo site where the Martyrs had been killed, later, much shrines were built for prayer.

Today, Churches have been built in the locations where Uganda Martyrs were ruthlessly killed, and the Martyrs are also honored on the churches’ murals and stain glasses. The most prominent shrine is Namugongo Martyrs Shrine which is located where St. Charles Lwanga and his companions were burned. The tradition of honoring the Uganda martyrs is important not only for Ugandans but throughout Africa and the world because the tradition exemplifies the steadfastness in faith that the Uganda Martyrs had and their resolve to pay the ultimate price for what they believed in.

For Ugandans, this event honors their pre-Christian heritage of spirituality and ancestry.

The celebration of the Uganda Martyr’s takes place every year on June 3, and over 2,000,000 Christians from around the world come to Namugongo to honor the bravery of the Uganda Martyrs. Many pilgrims come from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and all over Uganda to take part in the Ugandan Martyr’s Celebrations at Namugongo, and many others follow the holy proceedings on TV, Radio and via social media.