NEWS- The Chairman of the Northern Uganda Regional Cluster, the Rt Rev Godfrey Loum, has confirmed that preparations for the 2025 Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations are well underway.
The Cluster, which comprises the Dioceses of Northern Uganda, Lango, West Lango, Madi-West Nile, Kitgum, and Nebbi, will be leading the organization of the national celebration scheduled for 3rd June 2025 at Namugongo Anglican Martyrs Site.
Bishop Loum said this today April 22nd 2024 while leading a delegation comprised of Bishops for a meeting with the Archbishop of Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu at the Provincial Secretariat in Namirembe.
The Bishops included Wilson Kitara of Kitgum Diocese, Charles Collins Andaku of Madi West Nile Diocese, Pons Awinjo Ozelle of Nebbi, Julius Caesar Nina Otim of West Lango, Prof Alfred Olwa of Lango and Johnson Gakumba the retired Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda and the Provincial Treasurer Balaam Muheebwa attended the meeting.
Bishop Loum who is the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda, said that the main preacher for this year’s event will be the Rt Rev Henry Luke Orombi, the retired Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, while President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has been invited as the Chief Guest.
He also confirmed that the overall budget for the celebrations is complete and has been shared with the responsible stakeholders and the Cluster is optimistic about receiving government support to meet most of the major budget items.
The celebrations are expected to attract more than one million pilgrims from Uganda and across the globe.
For safety reasons, the organizing team has advised that pregnant women and individuals with health complications should refrain from participating in the foot pilgrimage to Namugongo.
He further noted that a 400-member choir will lead worship during the event, with each Diocese contributing 50 choristers.
Bishop Loum also disclosed that as a cluster they will install solar powered lights in and around Uganda Martyrs Anglican Site as their souvenir project and also said, security will be beefed up to ensure the Pilgrims and visiting delegations are safe.
During the meeting, the Archbishop expressed deep appreciation for the groundwork already laid and commended the Bishops for their unity, zeal, and servant leadership.
The Archbishop recognized the efforts of the National Organizing Committee, chaired by the Minister of Health Hon Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, and reiterated the spiritual significance of Uganda Martyrs Day as a time to reflect on the legacy of the 45 young men who sacrificed their lives for the Christian faith.
“As a Church, this day calls us to proclaim the Gospel with boldness, inspired by the unwavering faith of the Uganda Martyrs,” the Archbishop said.
According to the Church of Uganda Communications Officer Sadiiki Adams Mugume, the Archbishop officially commissioned the Northern Uganda Regional Cluster for the noble task and called upon mission and development partners to support them generously.
