When is Uganda Martyrs Day 2025?
As the calendar turns to June, a sacred rhythm takes hold across Uganda and neighboring countries. In the quiet early mornings and under the scorching afternoon sun, thousands of men, women, and children make their way on foot—many for hundreds of kilometers—to a place deeply etched in the spiritual fabric of the nation: Namugongo. The destination is singular, but the motivations are deeply personal.
They come to commemorate Uganda Martyrs Day, a solemn yet powerful celebration of sacrifice, conviction, and enduring faith. This year, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Uganda marks 139 years since the first of these martyrs met their fate. The story of their courage continues to define what faith looks like in the face of oppression.
What Is Uganda Martyrs Day?
Uganda Martyrs Day is a national religious holiday observed every year on June 3rd. It honors the 45 young Christian converts—22 Catholics and 23 Anglicans—who were killed between 1885 and 1887 in the historical kingdom of Buganda (now part of modern-day Uganda). Their crime? Choosing to follow Jesus Christ in defiance of royal decree. Many Ugandans regard this day as not just a memorial of the past but a rekindling of faith, a national reminder of the price of belief.
In a nation where faith plays a central role in public and private life, Martyrs Day is not merely ceremonial—it is spiritual, emotional, and unifying. Pilgrims come to pray, reflect, heal, and renew. Churches across denominations plan months in advance, and each year, a different diocese takes charge of organizing the main celebration.
Frequently asked questions about Uganda Martyrs
Uganda Martyrs Day is a national holiday observed every 3rd of June to honor the heroic young Christian converts who were executed between 1885 and 1887 under the rule of King Mwanga II of Buganda. These men, later recognized as the 22 Catholic Uganda Martyrs and 23 Anglican martyrs, chose to uphold their Christian faith in defiance of royal commands—leading to their torture and execution.
Many ask, “Why were the martyrs of Uganda killed?” The answer lies in their refusal to renounce Christianity and reject immoral demands from the king, especially as they began to resist corrupt court practices. Their unwavering courage in the face of death shaped the Martyrs Day history and gave rise to a spiritual legacy still celebrated today. The importance of Martyrs Day in Uganda lies not only in religious observance but also in national identity, symbolizing the values of faith, sacrifice, and moral conviction.
Pilgrims and researchers frequently look for the Uganda Martyrs names and pictures, often compiled into downloadable formats like the Uganda Martyrs PDF, to help them understand each martyr’s personal story and origin. Out of the 45 recognized martyrs, how many Uganda Martyrs were killed at Namugongo? The majority—especially the 22 Catholic saints—were burned alive there, making it the most sacred martyrdom site. Visitors also search for the names of Uganda Martyrs who were killed at Namugongo, such as St. Charles Lwanga, St. Kizito, and St. Andrew Kaggwa, among others.
Their spiritual roles or patronage vary—many are considered protectors of youth, catechists, and those facing persecution. Annual Martyrs Day activities at Namugongo include foot pilgrimages, night vigils, Masses, healing services, and educational exhibits that tell the story of the Catholic Uganda Martyrs and their lasting impact on Christianity in Africa.
Why Namugongo?
Namugongo, located about 15 kilometers northeast of Kampala, is the site where the majority of the Catholic martyrs were burned alive. It is sacred ground—Uganda’s spiritual heartbeat. Today, the Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine stands there, alongside an Anglican shrine not far away. The shrines are more than architectural marvels; they are testimonies of martyrdom and spiritual legacy. Pilgrims believe stepping onto the soil of Namugongo is like walking with the martyrs themselves, sharing in their courage and suffering.
The Namugongo Martyrs Shrine has evolved into a global religious landmark. Its significance is not only national; it attracts pilgrims from across East Africa and as far afield as Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Kenya. For many, visiting Namugongo at least once in a lifetime is seen as a fulfillment of a profound spiritual goal.
The Full Story of the Uganda Martyrs
The story begins during the reign of Kabaka Mwanga II, king of the Buganda Kingdom from 1884 to 1888. Initially perceived as tolerant of foreign influences, Mwanga soon grew hostile toward the spread of Christianity. He viewed it as a threat to traditional authority and cultural practices—especially the Christian teachings that empowered his pages to resist sexual advances and immoral demands.
Christian converts were gaining influence, especially among young men serving in the royal court. Their loyalty to Christian doctrine, rather than to the king, was seen as subversion. Between 1885 and 1887, Mwanga ordered the arrest, torture, and execution of both Anglican and Catholic believers.
The most infamous of these events occurred on June 3, 1886, at Namugongo, where dozens of young men were marched to their deaths. Some were burned alive, others beheaded. Yet they went to their deaths with songs on their lips and the name of Christ in their hearts.
The 22 Catholic Martyrs Canonized by the Church
These martyrs were canonized as saints by Pope Paul VI in 1964. They are:
- Achilleus Kiwanuka
- Adolphus Ludigo-Mukasa
- Ambrosius Kibuuka
- Anatoli Kiriggwajjo
- Andrew Kaggwa
- Athanasius Bazzekuketta
- Bruno Sserunkuuma
- Charles Lwanga (the leader)
- Denis Ssebuggwawo
- Gonzaga Gonza
- Gyaviira Musoke
- James Buuzabalyawo
- John Mary Muzeeyi
- Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe
- Kizito (the youngest, only 14)
- Luke Baanabakintu
- Matthias Kalemba Mulumba
- Mbaaga Tuzinde
- Mugagga Lubowa
- Mukasa Kiriwawanvu
- Noa Mawaggali
- Ponsiano Ngondwe
Their stories are taught in catechism classes, preached from pulpits, and etched into stained glass and statues across the country. Their courage still reverberates through generations.
Pilgrimage 2025: Sacrifice, Endurance, and Devotion
As the 2025 commemorations draw near, pilgrims are already arriving in Namugongo, having walked for days or even weeks. From Lira in Northern Uganda, over 1,000 pilgrims began their journey on May 16, traveling more than 380 kilometers. Along the way, they pray, fast, sing hymns, and celebrate Mass. It’s a physically exhausting and spiritually enriching trek. Some pilgrims sleep in churches or schools; others camp by the roadside. Many travel barefoot, offering up the pain as a sacrifice in solidarity with the martyrs.
From western Uganda, pilgrims from Buhweju, Sheema, and Bushenyi Districts have also made their way to Kampala. From the central and eastern regions, believers walk in groups led by local clergy and lay leaders. Medical teams travel with them to attend to injuries, and daily Mass and the Rosary are part of the journey.
But it is not only adults making the trek. Hundreds of children and youth are taking part in early pilgrimage activities this year. With catechists and youth ministers guiding them, these young pilgrims are being formed in the tradition of courage and discipleship that the martyrs embodied.
The Issue of “Idol Worship”
Every year, the pilgrimage also stirs theological debates, especially among some Protestant circles. Critics accuse the Catholic faithful of engaging in idol worship because of the veneration of statues, relics, and the martyrs themselves.
But within Catholic theology, this is a misinterpretation. Catholics do not worship saints or statues. They venerate them—showing honor, not adoration. The saints are seen as intercessors—those who are in heaven and can pray for those on Earth. Statues are visual representations that help believers connect spiritually with the stories and sacrifices of these saints.
To many pilgrims, standing before a statue of Charles Lwanga is not about idol worship. It is about remembering a man who chose fire over betrayal, and asking for the strength to live with similar conviction.
139 Years Later: Why It Still Matters
This year marks 139 years since the first of the Uganda Martyrs was killed. Their sacrifice still echoes today—not only in Uganda but across the Christian world. In a time of spiritual fatigue, moral confusion, and religious apathy, their story is a rallying cry for faith that costs something.
Martyrs Day brings together believers of different tribes, languages, and even denominations. It bridges Uganda’s past with its present and offers hope for its future. In a nation often divided by politics and economics, the martyrs remain a unifying force.
The Heartbeat of a Nation
As June 3 approaches, the shrines of Namugongo throb with anticipation. Security personnel have been deployed in the thousands, vendors are setting up their stalls, choirs rehearse into the night, and the Church prepares to welcome over three million pilgrims.
Uganda Martyrs Day is not just about the past. It’s about the present choice to believe. The journey to Namugongo—whether taken on foot, by car, or in prayer—is one that challenges each person to ask: What do I believe in, and what would I be willing to die for?
For many pilgrims, the answer is already in their footsteps.
