Kampala, Uganda: The Anglican Church of Uganda has announced that this year’s Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations at Uganda Martyrs Anglican Shrine Namugongo will be conducted scientifically and under strict Ministry of Health guidelines following growing Ebola fears linked to the ongoing outbreak in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The development comes barely days after President Museveni announced the postponement of the national Martyrs’ Day celebrations over public health concerns arising from the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC.
In a statement issued Thursday, May 28, the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, Rev. Canon William Ongeng, said Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu had visited the Anglican Martyrs’ site at Namugongo to assess preparations by Uganda Christian University (UCU), which was mandated by the House of Bishops to organize this year’s celebrations.
“However, in consideration of the current public health circumstances, this year’s Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations will be conducted scientifically and in accordance with the Ministry of Health Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),” part of the statement posted via the Church’s official socials, read.
Canon Ongeng said attendance at the main service will be strictly by invitation and limited in line with Ministry of Health guidance.
“The National Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations will be held at the Uganda Martyrs’ Anglican Site, Namugongo, strictly by invitation. Attendance at the main service will be limited in line with Ministry of Health guidelines.”
The Church also encouraged all dioceses across the Province to hold localized commemorations in their respective parishes instead of mobilizing massive pilgrimages to Namugongo. “All Dioceses are encouraged to commemorate Martyrs’ Day in their respective Parishes across the Province,” Canon Ongeng noted.
Government last week announced the postponement of the annual June 3 celebrations, citing heightened Ebola outbreak risks following increased cross-border movement between Uganda and eastern DRC, where hundreds of suspected Ebola cases have been reported.
President Museveni urged pilgrims who had already begun trekking to Namugongo to return home and continue observing health precautionary measures.
Despite the scaled-down celebrations, UCU has continued improving infrastructure at the Anglican Martyrs’ site.
According to the Church, the university has undertaken major works including construction and renovation of modern toilet facilities, establishment of walkways, restoration of the green environment, reconstruction of sections of the collapsed perimeter wall and installation of a solar-powered water supply system.
Other developments include renovation of several buildings and intensified sanitation and clean-up operations at the site that annually hosts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from Uganda and across East Africa.
The Archbishop further assigned UCU to continue organizing this year’s scientific celebrations while also preparing to coordinate next year’s Martyrs’ Day celebrations.
The Church of Uganda has also urged Christians and the general public to continue observing Ebola prevention guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health for the safety and well-being of all worshippers.
Uganda Martyrs’ Day, commemorated every June 3, honours the Christian converts who were executed between 1885 and 1887 under Kabaka Mwanga II of Buganda for refusing to renounce their faith.
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