Namugongo pilgrimage stirs faith among Tanzanian visitors

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Every year, foreign pilgrims—including those from Tanzania—travel to the Namugongo Shrine to commemorate the lives and unwavering faith of the Uganda Martyrs, particularly on June 3, their official feast day.

However, this year, over 100 pilgrims arrived earlier, on Friday, 4 April, for a special three-day pilgrimage held during the Jubilee Year of Hope.

The group, which includes eight priests and nine nuns, was led by Fr Alex Ssenfuma, parish priest of Kyerwa Catholic Parish, and was accompanied by the Bishop of Kayanga Catholic Diocese, Almachius Vincent Rweyongeza.

Namugongo holds immense historical and spiritual significance in the global Catholic Church. The pilgrimage site honours the memory of 45 Christians who were executed between 1885 and 1887 for their faith.

Bishop of Kayanga Catholic Diocese, Almachius Vincent Rweyongeza lighting a candle before the Mass at Namugongo on Friday, April 4, 2025. (PHOTO BY JULIET ANNA LUKWAGO)

Inspired by the Jubilee

Bishop Rweyongeza noted that 2025, declared by Pope Francis as the Jubilee Year of Hope, is intended to inspire spiritual renewal and optimism—particularly in a world grappling with war, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change.

The Catholic Church designates a Jubilee Year every 25 years as a time of grace and reflection.

“2025 this is the jubilee year,” he said, quoting Pope Francis’s call for the faithful to embark on pilgrimages to holy places around the world, such as Rome and Fatima in Portugal. “But those are far, and many want to go for pilgrimage but can’t afford. Namugongo is near—that’s why we decided to come to the Martyrs Shrine at Namugongo for a three-day pilgrimage.”

He added, “We wanted to make this pilgrimage during Lent as well. We found that Namugongo is famous, nearby, and affordable for many Christians in our diocese.”

Bishop Rweyongeza also explained that “the Jubilee Year began on Christmas Eve 2024, with the opening of the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica, and ends on January 6, 2026, with the closing of the Holy Door.”

A Journey of Faith

Fr Ssenfuma said they travelled in two buses and two additional vehicles, including one for the bishop.

Esther Njeri, a pilgrim, shared her testimony: “I am an agribusiness lady. I was coming to Uganda every year for Martyrs' Day, but this time I decided to join the pilgrimage organised by our diocese in this Jubilee Year. Since I started coming to Namugongo, I have witnessed many miracles in my life, which I can’t mention all of.”

Fr Benezeth Rwegoshora said, “We have come to Namugongo for a pilgrimage and also to thank God for the gifts we got through the Martyrs of Uganda.”