The Friday event, brought together thousands of believers who walked in solidarity through major towns and cities across the country, a devotion that reflects on the final journey of Jesus Christ to Calvary.
Located in the heart of Fort Portal Tourism City, the cathedral serves as the principal church of the Fort Portal Catholic Diocese and the seat of the diocesan bishop.
Thousands of pilgrims on Monday converged at the Church of Uganda Martyr's site to celebrate 45 young Christian converts who were burned alive at Namugongo, 138 years ago following orders of Ssekabaka Mwanga.
Founded in November 1923 by Henri Streicher, this cathedral stands as the inaugural Catholic Cathedral in Kigezi. Streicher, the then Catholic Missionary Bishop overseeing the Rwenzori Vicariate (now Mbarara Archdiocese), proclaimed its establishment as a means to extend the Gospel of God closer to the local communities.
The metamorphosis of this sacred site is truly remarkable. Take, for instance, the amphitheater, which now offers a captivating view from every angle. Unlike the Catholic side, where plastic chairs were often rented, leading to increased costs, the Anglican site has installed fixed seating on all sides of the amphitheater.
Fr. Mubiru is recognized for his contributions to development through the Soroti Catholic Diocese Integrated Development Organization (SOCADIDO), which he founded in 1981. SOCADIDO's mission is to ensure communities in the Teso region have access to social and economic services.
Unlike the previous years when the government restricted the number of worshipers because of Corona Virus, this time many of them stormed their places of worship.
On Saturday 3rd December 2022, over 250 delegates of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council- UMSC General Assembly convened at the Council's headquarters at Gaddafi Mosque, Old Kampala. Here they voted for two major officers, the National Chairman and the Deputy National Chairman.
Hundreds of Christians welcomed Mugalu at Bumadu archdeaconry, the proposed seat of Ruwenzori West diocese. Christians in the area are demanding an independent diocese.
Since the martyrs’ day anniversary takes almost two weeks as pilgrims trickle in from all walks of life, business people also throng the area with all sorts of business.
Fireworks were displayed at midnight to usher in Martyrs Day, which is celebrated on June 3rd annually to commemorate the 45 boys and men who were killed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga between 1885 and 1886.
On Saturday, Rt. Rev. Robert Muhiirwa, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Portal, flagged off the pilgrims from Uganda Martyrs Minor Basilica in Munyonyo. The Minister for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities Tom Butime was among the pilgrims.
According to the building plan, the church intends to set up a 10,000 seater infrastructure. They will later construct extension terraces going up to the existing museum structure to provide enough space for pilgrims who flock to the place.
