Africa-Press – Uganda. From the rolling hills of western Uganda, pilgrims are setting off on a journey of faith to Namugongo, inspired by the enduring legacy of the Uganda Martyrs.
Among them is the memory of St Adolf Ludigo Mukasa of Katoosa—a cherished figure for many in Ankore.
In Mbarara City, Uganda Martyrs Parish serves not only as a place of worship but as a powerful symbol of this connection.
Originally known as Our Lady of Fatima, the church was renamed Uganda Martyrs Parish in 1966, shortly after Uganda’s independence.
“This parish was called Our Lady of Fatima Church but was later renamed Uganda Martyrs. We are so happy that it was one of the first parishes in Uganda to be named Uganda Martyrs after colonisation,” said Rev Fr Didas Kasapuli, the parish priest.
“It was named Uganda Martyrs so that the people of Ankore also have that connection.”
That change, guided by the White Fathers and inspired by Uganda’s post-independence spiritual awakening, rooted the parish in a legacy of courage and conviction.
According to Fr Kasapuli, the renaming was more than symbolic—it was an act of spiritual alignment with the bravery of the young Christians martyred in the late 19th century.
“Our parish is dedicated to the Uganda Martyrs, and because of this, we feel we are part and parcel of their story,” he said.
As the country prepares for Martyrs’ Day on 3rd June, that spiritual bond takes physical form on the dusty roads of Uganda.
Pilgrims, some as young as seven and others well into their seventies, have already begun the long walk to Namugongo, braving fatigue, heat, and doubt with song and prayer.
For those unable to reach Namugongo, Uganda Martyrs Parish will become a pilgrimage destination in its own right. Beginning on June 2, hundreds are expected to converge there for prayers, Mass, and remembrance under the Archdiocese of Mbarara.
Despite criticism and scepticism from some quarters, the pilgrims remain undeterred.
They walk with joy, fuelled by faith. And back home, their journey resonates deeply with believers who see in them a mirror of the martyrs’ devotion.
In a time marked by spiritual drift and competing ideologies, Fr Kasapuli warns against abandoning the path of unwavering faith.
“The Martyrs were consistent even at their time of death. I wonder if we can still get serious martyrs today because people are mixed up,” he reflected.
“There is a lot of confusion, and many are turning to other practices.”
Yet through the eyes of these pilgrims—and the enduring legacy of its name—Uganda Martyrs Parish stands tall.
It remains a beacon of hope and unity for the people of Ankore, a reminder that faith forged in sacrifice can still light the way forward.
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