The Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) has officially confirmed that the Diocese of Kasese will animate the national Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations in 2027, following the suspension of this year’s centralised celebrations at Namugongo due to Ebola concerns.
In a pastoral statement issued on Tuesday evening, the Catholic bishops announced that the annual national gathering at the Namugongo Catholic Shrine will not take place in 2026. Instead, celebrations will be conducted at parish and diocesan levels across the country as part of efforts to curb the spread of Ebola.
The statement, signed by UEC Chairperson Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa, noted that: “…we wish to inform the Catholic faithful and all stakeholders that the national Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations at Namugongo Catholic Shrine will not take place this year. Consequently, the Diocese of Kasese will animate the celebrations in 2027.”
The announcement preserves Kasese Diocese’s long-awaited opportunity to lead the country’s largest Catholic celebration after years of preparation and anticipation. The diocese had been selected to animate the 2026 national celebrations, marking its return to the role after nearly two decades.
The assignment was received with excitement across the diocese, with many faithful viewing it as a moment of spiritual significance and regional pride.
Under the leadership of Bishop Francis Aquirinus Kibira, the diocese had already launched extensive preparations under the theme, “Christ is alive in you and me.” Committees were established to oversee liturgy, mobilisation, welfare, publicity, security, and pilgrim coordination.
Preparations also included arrangements to receive foot pilgrims from the Democratic Republic of Congo, while choirs and parish teams intensified rehearsals and spiritual activities ahead of the expected gathering at Namugongo.
The proposed budget for the celebrations stood at approximately 4.5 billion Shillings, covering transport, accommodation, liturgical activities, publicity, welfare services, security, and coordination for the annual pilgrimage.
By the time the suspension was announced, the diocese had reportedly raised between 250 million and 350 million Shillings through parish contributions, diocesan fundraising drives, and pledges from supporters. Corporate entities, including MTN and Centenary Bank, had already committed financial and material support towards the preparations, while the government had pledged 2 billion Shillings for the event.
By Tuesday evening, Kasese Diocese had not yet issued an official statement on the matter. However, Church sources indicated that the funds already collected are expected to be preserved and redirected towards preparations for the 2027 celebrations once the Ebola situation stabilises.
The development mirrors events during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Masaka Diocese experienced a similar disruption before eventually animating the national celebrations the following year.
Despite the suspension of the national gathering, spiritual activities connected to Uganda Martyrs Day are already underway across the country.
At the Namugongo Catholic Shrine, the annual nine-day novena prayers have commenced, with each day dedicated to one of the 22 Uganda Martyrs. Catholics in dioceses and parishes nationwide have also been encouraged to organise local novena prayers. In some dioceses, including Masaka, the prayers are being conducted through Small Christian Communities.
