This year’s 3rd June Uganda Martyrs day celebrations at the Namugongo Catholic Shrines are estimated to cost a whooping 450 million shillings, according to Rt. Rev. Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa, the Bishop Mityana Diocese.
Addressing the press at the catholic secretariat in Nsambya today morning, Bishop Zziwa said the diocese has a choir of 460 people, who they need to facilitate; there is also need for more chairs in the pavilion which seats at least 2,000 priests, and the VIP, the religious, and the choir tents respectively.
He also cites decoration of the whole shrine which was recently extended making it bigger than before, a better public Address system that can enable all pilgrims wherever they are to hear what will be said from the altar and surroundings, as well as the choir. They are also planning to hire big screens for pilgrims who will sit far from the altar, to enable them follow the proceedings perfectly.
“With that background, the preparations and the actual celebrations of the Uganda Martys Day at Namugongo have been estimated to cost at least 450,000,000 shillings,” says Bishop Zziwa.
He added; “In an attempt to raise funds, we call upon all Christians, God loving and good will people to contribute generously towards this grand and special event in the life of Church which also invigorates the faith. Kindly donate money or other relevant items for this cause so that we may have a wonderful celebration worthy of dignity of our Uganda Martyrs on the 3rd June 2016.”
Also, an account has been opened in the Centenary Bank onto which people can deposit money. The details of the account are;
Account Name; Kiyinda –Mityana Diocese Namugongo 2016,
Account number; 8910600071
Bank Branch; Mubende Branch, Centenary BANK.
Annually, the Catholic Church commemorates 3rd June, a day the 22 Uganda martyrs were executed by the Kabaka of Buganda, Mwanga II between 31st January 1885 and 27th January 1887.