President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has strongly condemned the execution of the Uganda Martyrs by Kabaka Mwanga II, calling on Ugandans to transcend religious divisions and embrace national unity under the ideals of Pan-Africanism.
Speaking during the 2025 Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations at the Anglican Martyrs’ Shrine in Namugongo, President Museveni, who attended the event with First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni, praised the martyrs for introducing new spiritual values to Ugandan society.
“We do not support Kabaka Mwanga’s decision to kill the martyrs,” President Museveni said. “They stood firm in their beliefs, and we honor their courage. Let religious differences not divide us. We must unite as Africans under the banner of Pan-Africanism.”
The president also announced that Martyrs’ Day will be officially included in the national budget.
The Church of Uganda and the Catholic Church will each receive two billion shillings annually to support their celebrations, while the Muslim community will receive two hundred million shillings for their own martyrdom commemorations.
This year’s Anglican Martyrs’ Day was led by six dioceses from Northern Uganda, collectively known as the Northern Cluster.
Bishop Godfrey Luwum, chairperson of the organizing committee, thanked the government for its financial support and described Namugongo as a world-class pilgrimage destination that continues to attract thousands of visitors each year.
Call for Prayer and Peaceful Elections
Archbishop Emeritus Henry Luke Orombi, the main preacher during the service, urged Ugandans to seek divine guidance ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Addressing thousands of pilgrims, Orombi acknowledged growing public anxiety over the elections and warned of rising fear and speculation about potential violence.
“We must not fear the future,” he said. “The martyrs laid down their lives for the faith, and we too must be ready to sacrifice and trust in Christ.”
Orombi encouraged Christians to live as true witnesses of Christ in their everyday lives and called on both believers and political leaders to reject corruption and worldly temptations. He emphasized the importance of compassion, especially toward the marginalized, the unemployed, and the sick.
Warning Against Land Grabbing and Youth Crisis
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, commended the Northern Cluster for constructing a perimeter wall at Namugongo as a souvenir project.
He raised alarm over increasing cases of land encroachment, citing ongoing disputes at Namugongo and Bbira Vocational Institute.
“The Church, in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, has begun a nationwide land titling campaign to safeguard church property,” Archbishop Kaziimba said.
He also voiced concern over the growing abuse of drugs and other harmful substances among the youth, warning that the trend contributes to rising mental health issues, criminal behavior, and family breakdown.
“This is not just a youth problem. It is a societal crisis,” Kaziimba said. “We must respond collectively. Parents, teachers, religious leaders, and the community must work together to guide young people toward spiritually rooted values.”
As Uganda once again honored the legacy of the martyrs, the celebrations served not only as a reflection on the past but also as a clarion call for faith-driven action, national unity, and moral renewal.
English 