Martyrs Day is being marked differently this year at both the Catholic and Anglican shrines in Namugongo due to Ebola guidelines.
Here’s exactly how it will run:
Catholic Martyrs Shrine – Namugongo
Who can attend: Only a few invited individuals. No general public or pilgrims allowed on site.
Numbers: A maximum of 400 people in total will attend the different masses throughout the day, per Rev Fr Vicent Lubega, Rector at Namugongo Martyrs Shrine.
Mass times: Masses will run from 6am for the first one, through to 5pm for the last one.
Everyone else: If you don’t have an invitation, mark the day at your local parish across the country. The shrine will not be open to walk-in pilgrims.
Anglican Martyrs Shrine – Namugongo Format:
The service is fully virtual this year, per Bishop Professor Alfred Olwa, Chairperson of the Uganda Christian University Governing Council.
Who’s on site: Only a very small group of accredited personnel for the broadcast. No pilgrims will be allowed access.
Choir: The 600-member choir was cut down to just 30 singers. They’re selected representatives from Kisasi Church of Uganda, St. Francis Chapel, and Uganda Christian University, which is leading this year’s celebrations.
Service time: Starts at 9:00 a.m. and will be led by Archbishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu.
How to follow: Watch/listen live on several television stations, radio stations, and social media platforms from home or your local church.
Materials: This year’s order of service and commemorative materials have been distributed digitally instead of in print to minimise physical contact.
Security & Access
Police have closed the Namugongo site to the public since earlier this week. Only accredited broadcast staff will be allowed in. Security is heightened around both shrines to enforce the Ebola standard operating procedures.
