Museveni to pilgrims: Emulate Jesus, embrace economic activities

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has encouraged Christian pilgrims who attended this year’s Martyr’s Day Celebration at Namugongo shrine to apply the same devotion to economically uplifting activities.

The annual celebrations are held every June 3 in remembrance of 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican martyrs who were burned alive between 1885 and 1887 on the orders of King Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda for defending their faith.

Local media reports that this year’s celebration had exceedingly more people compared to other years with every available space of the expanded shrine having filled up by morning with scores of pilgrims still lining up outside.

The event is reputed to be the largest one-day gathering in Uganda, with organisers putting the attendance at around four million.

Among the attendees included Museveni and First Lady Mama Janet and the widow of Tanzania’s founding father Mwali Julius Nyerere, Mama Maria Nyerere.

“I welcome the pilgrims, some of whom walked long distances as a demonstration of their commitment to the Christian faith. I salute our brothers and sisters who have travelled from outside Uganda including our mother, Maama Nyerere,” Museveni said in a statement.

This year’s celebrations marked the 60th anniversary since the canonisation of the martyrs as saints.

Pilgrims from all walks of life pay homage to the 45 young converts for their display of courage against a technocratic traditional royal leader.

“I implore you all to be inspired by this courage, and sacrifice, but not to limit it to only faith and religion but other aspects of life specifically wealth creation through profitable enterprises like commercial agriculture, ICT, services, and industry,” Museveni said in somewhat vote of thanks statement.

“I also call upon you brethren to emulate the example of Jesus Christ, who besides prayer and fasting, engaged in productive economic activities as a carpenter,” he went on.

“I thank the Diocese of Nebbi for animating the mass so well and wish all pilgrims a wonderful celebration and a safe journey back home. Thank you!”