Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine Basilica, Namugongo — Attraction in Wakiso

On 3 June 1886, 32 young men, pages of the court of King Mwanga II of Buganda, were burned to death at Namugongo for their refusal to renounce Christianity. They were Anglican or Catholic. Annually on 3 June, Christians from Uganda and other parts of the world congregate at Namugongo to commemorate the lives and religious beliefs of the Uganda Martyrs. Crowds have been estimated in hundreds of thousands in some years.In June 2015, an estimated 2 million people attended the event. The Namugongo Shrines were first recognised by Joshua Serufusa-Zake (1884–25 June 1985) when he was the Sabaddu of Kira Sub-County. He constructed a structure at the Namugongo site, where it appears shrines were built later for prayer. His interest in Christianity was enhanced by his father's participation in the wars that brought Christianity to Uganda. His father, Semei Musoke Seruma Katiginya, had earned a name for brevity "Ngubu" from the wars. Churches are built in areas were martyr's were killed, and they are also honored on churches' murals and stain glasses. The most prominent shrine is Namugongo which is located where St. Charles Lwanga and his companions were burned. The Ugandan tradition of honoring martyr's is important because Ugandans are honoring their pre-Christian heritage of spirituality and ancestry. The martyr's feast happens on June 3rd, and there are about half a million people who participate in the feast annually, and the day of the feast is a national holiday. Many pilgrims come from kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and all over Uganda to take part in the Ugandan Martyr's Feast Day at Namugongo, and many others follow the celebration on...

One of the biggest cultural sites in uganda. It is located in a cool, silent environment. The place currently offers mass at 6:30am, 7am and 6pm daily. With Sunday services at 6:30am, 8am, 10am, 12pm and 5pm.

This place has historical writings, Saint gorotos.

It's a silent place for meditation. You can use the place for weddings, photos, and many other things as long as you inform the authorities.

On Sundays, you can decide to have mass at the church or the two pavilions and the martys lake.

3rd June, this place gets flocked with many people. So if you want to enjoy the environment better come when it's not the martys day celebrations.

If tourists you can book near by hotels that are accessible

They have a tour guide at an affordable fee. This helps you access the details that sometimes are not readily available to everyone.

They have different ministries ranging from youth and women guilds. Men guild and married people.

The priests are always available during the week for confessions or appointments.

For a sunday, make sure you obtain a parking card(free). Otherwise, you won't be able to take your car after mass. This is for...

First time being at the Martyrs shrine, would always pass by and see from road side. Before 2022 could end, I went with my family and guess what! I was so much impressed by the History our guide Jim had shared with us. He handled us with care and didn't rush us as my wife was pregnant and also had my young daughter moving us, gave us wonder history about the Martyrs that you might think 🤔 he was there watching all the events as they unfolded. Otherwise the place is kept clean, compound grass is kept short and neat giving us also a wonderful shade to relax and rejuvenate our spirit. The sculptures almost give you also information on the Martyrs how they were killed by the orders of Kabaka Mwanga. The place has also got access to the disabled people 🧑‍🦼♿ and security personnels are all over to assist you. I would recommend the management to install uv filters for the water to make it safer for the people around to use as it's Holy water believed to have been blessed by the Pope. Thank you Jim for the wonderful experience and your stories, you kept us entertained the whole time we were there and answered all...