“The Ugandan martyrs are a reality, they are in heaven and can always intercede for us provided we have strong faith, hope and love,” the 67-year-old Prelate said and implored Catholics around the world to pray for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic through the intercession of the Uganda Martyrs.
“Let us have that hope in God and that attitude and focus which reminds us of our baptism and our Christian obligations,” the Archbishop of Kampala said.
Meanwhile, in his address on Martyrs’ Day, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni said in reference to the martyrs, “Fortitude and endurance has helped to plant the Kingdom of God across the men and women around the globe.”
“Continue lifting our nation in prayer and ask for God’s protection of all Ugandans against the coronavirus disease,” President Museveni said.
Due to COVID-19 restriction on public gathering, several pilgrims were blocked from accessing the Shrine at Namugongo. After NTV Uganda highlighted the incident in a Facebook post that included photos of pilgrims in prayer on the other side of the fence and at the gate, various people took to social media, sharing their reactions.
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“What an act of Faith. Great that the police didn’t beat them up. We pray that Holy Uganda Martyrs join our prayers to present them to God Almighty,” Ritah Nakibwami posted.
“The lady said, ‘If only I touch his garment I will be healed’ and she got healed; I’m sure if only they touch the fence then they will be healed to coz of their faith in God,” Ronie B remarked.
“That is what they call acts of worship; they have indeed represented the rest of the world upon the Altar of God. Blessings u all,” Naafi Kateregga remarked in a Facebook post.
“I have never seen this place this empty all my life on earth. The statement ‘we never know what the future holds has finally come to reality,’” Allstar-Kreations on IG tweeted in reference to the Catholic Shrine at Namugongo.
“Our usual Martyrs’ Day celebrations dearly missed; Uganda Martyrs pray for us so that this COVID comes to an end,” Bonni Elubu posted on Twitter.
Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.