The Guest Preacher at the Anglican Martyr’s site at Namugongo, the Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, and the Archbishop of the Church of Nigeria has asked Christians not to be intimidated by persecution and always stand by the truth.
Ndukuba delivered the day’s sermon on the invite of the main celebrant, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugula.
This year’s Martyr’s Day celebrations were held under the theme: “Conforming to the Truth of God’s Word and not the patterns of the World,” derived from Romans 12:1-2.
The Service has been animated by the Mid-Western Uganda Cluster and is composed of six dioceses including Ruwenzori, South Ruwenzori, East Ruwenzori, West Ruwenzori, Masindi-Kitara and Bunyoro-Kitara.
The Cluster chairperson has been the Bishop of Ruwenzori Diocese, Rt. Rev. Reuben Kisembo.
The commemoration of the 45 young Christian converts who were burned alive at Namugongo 138 years ago, saw a joint choir is 300 members with representation from each Diocese from the organizing Cluster.
In his sermon, Archbishop Ndukuba noted that persecution of Christians Continues in the World but told pilgrims that there is no way they can follow Jesus Christ and avoid persecution.
He congratulated the Church of Uganda for standing strong and not agreeing with the norms and patterns of the world, saying that the wages of sin like homosexuality are death.
“God has never changed. We stand where God has brought us and he has proven himself over and over again. Let us leave to please God the Almighty,” Archbishop Ndukuba said.
Before Ndukuba’s sermon, the day’s reading was taken by a 13-year-old Goodluck Johnson, from Chain Foundation who used a braille Bible to deliver the Holy Scripture.
Chain Foundation is a charity organization that caters to vulnerable children and was established by the late Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo.
In his speech, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Kaziimba commended pilgrims who walked from far and near saying that these were prayer walks of faith and commitment to Christ.
“If these walks result in a transformed life, then your walk is not in vain. May your prayers and petitions be fully answered,” he said.
Archbishop Kaziimba noted that the Church of Uganda continues to stand firmly with the church in Nigeria and all who have purposed to conform to the truth of God’s word and not the patterns of this world.
Kaziimba also announced that next year’s celebrations were to be led by Northern Uganda Dioceses including Northern Uganda (Gulu), Kitgum, West Nile, Lango, Madi, and Nebbi.
The Chief Guest at the Anglican site was the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, representing President Yoweri Museveni. The Service was also attended by several Ministers and Members of Parliament.
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