NAMUGONGO JUNE 7, 2016 (CISA) – Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa of the Catholic Diocese of Kiyinda-Mityana has called upon the faithful to emulate the Uganda Martyrs by sticking to the truth.
In his homily during the celebration of Martyr’s Day at Namugongo Shrine June 3, 2016, Bishop Zziwa noted that “only the truth would save society from evils witnessed today.”
“We know that the absence of the truth leads man to commit social evils in society, but we cannot be witnesses of Christ in the world when our speech is packed with lies,” Bishop Zziwa told pilgrims.
He also warned Christians against living a ‘double life.’
“Some people are Christians during the day and at night behave like pagans. Let us be truthful, and the truth shall make us free, let us be renewed by this pilgrimage to Namugongo and resolve to witness to the truth,” he added.
Quoting Pope Francis, Bishop Zziwa said that the strength of the Christian community of Uganda depends on the Martyrs who testified that the truth shall set humankind free.
More than one million Christians, including Anglicans and Catholics, from all over the world converged at Namugongo village in central Uganda for the annual event.
The celebration honours the heroic faith of the 45 Martyrs, both Catholic and Anglican, who were burnt to death on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, the then king of Buganda between 1885 and 1887. In light of that message and in the spirit of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the theme of this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day celebration was, “Truth shall set you Free.”
Ugandan Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda who read a speech from President Yoweri Museveni noted that the place had become a centre of heroism in the country and the courageous act of the martyrs had changed the face of Christianity in Uganda and the rest of the world.
“The government will work with the church to turn Namugongo into a major tourist destination because of its historic significance”, Dr Rugunda said.
