Uganda Martyrs Day 2025: Pilgrims Urged to Foster Martyrs’ Legacy, “to serve selflessly” with Hope, Love, Courage

Having died for the Lord, Bishop Kakooza said, St. Charles Lwanga and his companions “are now at peace. Their faith and hope turned into immortality. They were accepted as a pleasing offering. They shine brightly.”

“As Christians, we go through a lot. But with faith, we can withstand all worldly challenges,” said the Local Ordinary of Lugazi Diocese, which animated this year’s pilgrimage under the theme, “Lord, Let Me See Again – A Pilgrim of Hope.”

The Uganda Martyrs’ Day dates back to the first decade of Christian presence in the East African nation when 45 men aged between 14 to 50 years were killed by the King of Buganda between 1885 and 1887 because of their Christian faith.

Among the 45 were 22 Catholics beatified in 1920 and canonized in 1964 who continue to promote Catholic life in the country; they play an important role in constructing a Catholic identity globally.

The annual Uganda Martyrs Day takes place at Namugongo Shrine in Uganda’s Kampala Catholic Archdiocese. The Shrine is on a large property covering the site where St. Charles Lwanga and his companions, who included pages at the royal court, were burned alive by the order of Kabaka (King) Mwanga II of the Buganda kingdom.

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In his June 3 homily, Bishop Kakooza reflected on the theme of the ongoing Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year that is being realized under the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”. 

“Hope is the cornerstone of our pilgrimage. Hope inspires love. A pilgrimage of hope is an eternal spiritual journey that unfolds in daily life through prayer and acts of charity,” he said. 

Hope, the Local Ordinary of Lugazi Diocese continued, “reminds us that our struggles are temporary.”

“The holy martyrs of Uganda were inspired to understand this and were ready to suffer in the hope of what was to come,” he said.

Describing the martyrs as “pilgrims of hope,” the Ugandan Catholic Church leader reminded the people of God that love is the driving force behind selfless service and sacrifice. “Love motivates us to serve others selflessly,” Bishop Kakooza emphasized. 

He noted that today’s Christians have inherited the mission of witness from the martyrs; a mission that calls for proclaiming the Gospel in a world often characterized by despair and uncertainty. He urged pilgrims to “come to the Father's house where there is peace, where there is joy, where there is love.”

The Bishop of Lugazi since his installation in January 2015 called upon the people of God to proclaim with “love and joy the hope of resurrection to the world.”

“Life is filled with trials and suffering. But our troubles are temporary,” he said, and urged pilgrims to deepen their spiritual journey through prayer and acts of charity. Bishop Kakooza noted that such expressions of love bind believers more closely to God and to one another.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.