By Jimmy Siyasa
In the late 19th century, when Christian missionaries arrived in Uganda, they persuaded many pages in the Buganda royal palace to convert to Christianity, with their new faith encouraging loyalty to church teachings over the traditional authority. This stance angered the king, Mwanga II, who later ordered their execution, with many of them burned alive at Namugongo on June 3, 1886 after refusing to renounce their new faith.
As a result, Christians around the world remember this execution of 23 Anglicans and 22 Catholics with pilgrimages to Namugongo in central Uganda at both the Anglican site and the Catholic shrine every June 3.
For the 2026 commemoration, the Church of Uganda entrusted Uganda Christian University (UCU) with organizing the celebrations at the Anglican site in Namugongo, near Kampala. For months, the university has been quietly giving the historic grounds a new face.
Under the theme “Christ Our Peace: Breaking the Walls, Healing the Nations,” and with support from the Government of Uganda, partners, friends and well-wishers, UCU set out to renew nearly every corner of the site ahead of the June 3, 2026 celebration.
The UCU team inspecting the Anglican site at Namugongo, recently. In the background is the facility’s amphitheatre. Photo by Andrew Bugembe
UCU top management led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi and Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Chairperson of the 2026 Organizing Committee, Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, have been keeping tabs on the ongoing works.
The site is undergoing a transformation. Sanitation has been among the biggest priorities: the grounds now feature pedal-powered flush toilets and bathrooms, hand-washing sinks and dustbins, all designed with the comfort and hygiene of pilgrims in mind. A new 50,000-liter solar-powered tank has been installed to boost water supply.
“We observed the poor state of the toilet facilities and the risk of spreading diseases and decided to revamp the washrooms and also construct a new one,” said Prof. Mushengyezi during an inspection visit to the Anglican site.
“We consider this infrastructural development our [modest] gift to the Church of Uganda this year.”
Lighting within and around the grounds has been improved. Internal walkways have been paved, driveways cleaned up and every building given a facelift. The perimeter wall surrounding the Anglican site has been renovated, while the amphitheatre and the Martyrs’ Museum have been beautified.
Greenery is returning, too. Grass, palms and flowers have been replanted to restore the beauty for which the place is known. New and refurbished directional signage, clearer labelling of key spaces, enhanced branding and a newly installed digital billboard now guide pilgrims and amplify information.
As preparations to get the facility ready gathered pace, everything took an abrupt turn. On May 17, 2026, President Yoweri Museveni announced the postponement of the June 3 celebrations, as a response to an outbreak of Ebola, in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, from where many pilgrims travel to Namugongo annually. The outbreak has since been reported in Uganda as well.
“To safeguard everyone’s lives, it is essential that this important event be postponed,” the President said, adding that the celebrations would be held at a later date to be announced.
The Church of Uganda welcomed the guidance. In a statement issued through its Provincial Secretary, the Church affirmed the directive and called on Christians, pilgrims, dioceses and organizing committees to cooperate. It also commended UCU for the work it had undertaken in preparing the Anglican site.
This year’s June 3 celebrations, as a result, were by invitation to manage the number of people in attendance. The Church of Uganda also asked UCU to organize next year’s celebrations because the one for this year has been affected by the outbreak of Ebola.
“Continue working and finish the good work you have started,” said the Archbishop, Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu when he inspected the developments at Namugongo on May 27, 2026.
For UCU, the postponement is a pause rather than a loss. The improved sanitation, water, lighting, signage and landscaping will serve pilgrims whenever the celebrations are rescheduled, and for many commemorations to come. The additional time, organizers note, allows the remaining works to be completed with even greater care.
It has been 13 years since UCU undertook the mandate to organize the Uganda Martyrs’ celebration on behalf of the Church of Uganda.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To support UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.
Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Discover more from Uganda Partners
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
