Uganda Martyrs' Shrine

Outside the main sanctuary at the shrine.

On Sunday, December 5th, the day after Dennis' wedding, we took the Sudanese youth and the lay missionaries on a pilgrimage to the Uganda Martyrs' shrine in Kampala. In our evangelization efforts in Sudan we have often showed a dramatized video which relates the inspiring story of the Uganda Martyrs, so I wanted the youth to have the opportunity to see first hand the site where these events took place.

At the altar which marks the site of the martyrdom of St. Charles Lwanga. 

We arrived in time to join the 10:00 am Mass in English. Our visit happened to coincide with the harvest celebration of the four dioceses of the Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province, which made the Mass especially lively and interesting. A retired bishop was the main celebrant; and I learned a lot about the history of the Church in Ugand from his remarks. And there were three offeratory processions (one for harvested grain, one for financial offerings and one for animals - only the chickens made it into the church, though; the cows and goats stayed outside) as well as lots of beautiful music and dancing.

Sculpture depicting the martyrdom of St. Charles Lwanga.

After Mass we spent time in the church at the altar, which marks the exact spot where Charles Lwanga, leader of the martyrs, most of whom served at the court of the Buganda king. We also viewed the stained glass windows, statues and other images depicting the martyrs and other events in the history of the Chruch in Uganda. Several portrayed St. Charles Lwanga baptizing the youngest of the martyrs, St. Kizito - only 14 years old - on the very day they gave their lives in witness to Christ.

Sculpture of the other martyr's at the Anglican shrine.

Later we toured the grounds of the shrine, which include a sculpture garden depicting the martyrdom of Charles Lwanga and a large pond with a platform used during the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1993. Following that we visited and prayed at the nearby Anglican shrine (a number of Anglican Christians gave their lives in witness to Christ along with the Catholics), where most of the other martyrs were executed.

Our group showing the photo of the Uganda Martyrs on the back of their t-shirts.

Carol and the young Sudanese women at the lake on the shrine grounds.

Joe and Roger.

Fr. Herald and Fr. Sylvester at the site where Pope John Paul II
presided at the celebrations during his visit in 1993

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