With just weeks to go before Uganda Martyrs Day, questions continue to swirl around the financial details of this year’s celebrations led by Lugazi Diocese.
While preparations are visibly underway, diocesan officials remain hesitant to disclose the full budget, raising eyebrows among observers used to transparency in previous editions of the national religious event.
Speaking during a press briefing held at the diocesan headquarters in Lugazi, the Vicar General, Msgr. Richard Kayondo, confirmed that the cost of organizing the June 3rd celebrations runs into the billions of shillings.
However, he stopped short of giving a specific figure, instead noting that percent of the required funding has already been secured.
“The planning committee is working hard, and we’re confident the event will run smoothly. We invite the public and well-wishers to continue supporting us financially,” Msgr. Kayondo said on behalf of Bishop Christopher Kakooza.
Unlike in previous years where leading dioceses publicly declared their budgets, Lugazi has opted for a more guarded approach.
However, Uganda Radio Networkhas learned that parishes within the diocese were discreetly assigned specific contribution targets.
Additionally, other financial mobilization efforts are reportedly ongoing behind the scenes.
When previously asked about the financial roadmap, Bishop Kakooza reassured the faithful, stating that the key elements required for a successful celebration were already in place and that “there is no need for public anxiety.”
Despite the budget silence, the diocese has earned praise for prioritizing spiritual formation, particularly among the youth.
Lugazi Diocese has scheduled a special children’s pilgrimage to Namugongo on Friday, May 30, 2025, ahead of the main celebration.
The event is expected to draw school-going children from across the country for a day of prayer, learning, and reflection.
“This early pilgrimage will give young people the time and spiritual space to engage with the legacy of the Uganda Martyrs before returning to school,” Msgr. Kayondo noted.
The day will feature a choir of 500 members, carefully selected from the diocese’s 34 parishes, mirroring the musical setup planned for the June 3 Mass.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner Juma Kigongo assured the public of heightened national-level coordination to ensure the safety of all pilgrims, especially the children expected at the early event.
Meanwhile, spiritual preparations are in full swing. The diocese has been rallying under the theme: “Oh Lord, Let Me See Again; I, Your Pilgrim of Hope,” a message inspired by the Jubilee Year theme announced by the late Pope Francis.
The theme has guided a year-long campaign involving daily prayer, Eucharistic congresses, and crusades across the diocese.
A central organizing committee led by Fr. Godfrey Mboowa, Dr. Augustine Kato, and Mrs. Prossy Konde has been steering the preparations with what insiders describe as “precision and prayer.”
“We are now focusing on spiritual renewal and logistics. We want this to be not just an event, but a true pilgrimage of faith,” said Fr. Mboowa.
The priests are also invited to participate in the Novena from May 25 to June 2, with priests available for confessions during this sacred period.
In keeping with tradition, Lugazi Diocese will make its symbolic foot pilgrimage to Namugongo on June 1, arriving at 5:00 PM, followed by a Mass at 7:00 PM.
All pilgrims, especially those attending both the children’s event and the main celebration, are urged to register at their respective parishes to help with security and logistics.
Beyond its administrative role, Lugazi holds a unique place in Uganda’s martyrdom story.
The diocese is home to two Uganda Martyrs, Ponsiano Ngondwe and Mukasa Kiriwawanvu, who were born in the Bulimo, Mukono.
Plans are underway to upgrade these sites into pilgrimage-standard shrine churches, further anchoring Lugazi’s spiritual contribution to the nation.
As Uganda looks toward the annual commemoration of its Christian heroes, Lugazi Diocese is walking a delicate line—balancing its financial opacity with visible, vibrant spiritual readiness.
English 