Catholics across the globe are spending Easter Monday in mourning following the death of Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, who passed away at the age of 88.
Millions of tributes have poured in following the official announcement of his death by the Vatican.
Pope Francis holds a special place in the hearts of many Ugandans, being one of only three Popes to have visited the country—following Pope Paul VI in 1969 and Pope John Paul II in 1993. His historic visit took place from November 27 to 29, 2015, during a three-day apostolic tour that left a lasting impression on the nation.
The visit was part of a broader African tour that included Kenya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic. Uganda welcomed him with immense joy and reverence, as tens of thousands of people lined the streets to greet the pontiff.
The primary reason for his visit was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the canonization of the Uganda Martyrs—22 Catholic and Anglican converts who were executed for their faith between 1885 and 1887 under the orders of King Mwanga II.
Upon arrival, Pope Francis was formally received at State House Entebbe, where President Yoweri Museveni expressed gratitude for the visit and praised the Pope’s role as a messenger of peace and moral renewal.
From State House, the Pope was transported to the Martyrs’ Shrine in Munyonyo in a small black Kia. He rode with the windows down, waving at the faithful who lined the streets.
On November 28, Pope Francis made a pilgrimage to the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, where he celebrated a public Mass attended by a multitude of pilgrims and several prominent Ugandan figures, including Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, President Yoweri Museveni, and opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye.
One of the most memorable moments of the visit occurred during the Mass when President Museveni and Dr. Besigye shook hands, generating excitement amid the build-up to the 2016 general elections.
Thousands of pilgrims, some having walked great distances from across East Africa, gathered at the shrine to hear the Pope’s message, which emphasized unity across denominations and tribal lines.
Later, at the Kololo Independence Grounds, Pope Francis addressed Ugandan youth, encouraging them not to let despair or suffering define their lives.
That evening, he spoke to priests, religious men and women, and seminarians at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Lubaga, urging them to remain faithful to their calling through memory, fidelity, and prayer.
Pope Francis departed Uganda on November 29.
