Vision Group launches 2nd edition of National Martyrs Choral Festival

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The much-loved National Martyrs Choral Festival organized by Vision Group is now underway. It was officially launched by the Pastoral Coordinator of Kampala Archdiocese, Fr Dr Ambrose Bwangatto, on Tuesday (April 15, 2025).

The function at Lubaga Cathedral was also witnessed by the Editor-in-Chief of Vision Group Barbara Kaija, the company’s Deputy Managing Director and Head of the Catholic Laity in Uganda Gervase Ndyanabo, the Editor of Bukedde Michael Ssebowa, and the company’s events Manager Fiona Tamale.

Representatives from partner organizations such as Equity Bank, Crown Bottlers the Parliament of Uganda, also graced the event.

Delivering his message during the function, Vision Group’s DMD Gervase Ndyanabo encouraged Church Choirs and all members of the public to be part of the festival, which he described as important.

“This seems to be a small gathering, but it is the beginning of a big festival that is aimed at enabling all Ugandans to celebrate and commemorate the glorious Uganda Martyrs in a shared musical experience. It is an ecumenical festival which brings together choirs from the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church, across the country.

It thus encourages collaborations, dialogue and mutual collaboration of Christians. It also helps us to do engagements with communities. Singing and listening to songs about the Uganda Martyrs, also helps us to learn much about their faith and morality. Our own faith and morality is consequently enhanced,” Ndyanabo said.

Ndyanabo later thanked Archbishop Ssemogerere for believing and walking with Vision Group, which is why he allowed to host the launch of the event in his Cathedral, and the event’s reception at his residence.

He nonetheless put it to the participating choristers not to see competition as the essence of the festival, but to use the festival as a special event of celebrating/honouring and reflecting on the life of the martyrs.

He said the festival activities will be broadcast live on all the platforms of Vision Group, including the 4 TV stations, the 7 radio stations and the social media platforms.

In his message delivered for him by Fr Dr Ambrose Bwangatto, Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere paid tribute to Vision Group for giving due consideration to Church events and activities.

“It is not common to see an entity of your calibre that promotes Church events and activities. Thank you for the innovation; the National Martyrs Choral Festival. Thank you for always going beyond profit-making mission in pursuance of the common good.

Through music, dance and drama, which certainly, we learn a lot from the Uganda Martyrs, we also learn the Christian value of faith, hard work, patriotism and unity between Christian denominations. I pray for the success of the festival. And I hope it will promote faith, love and unity in communities and the country.”

The function was animated by St Charles Lwanga Choir of Lubaga Cathedral, which sung beautiful songs of the Uganda Martyrs.

The festival will climax on May 31 (2025).

About the festival and how to participate in the competition

The National Martyrs Choral Festival was established last year (2024) by Vision Group to enable Christians and all Ugandans celebrate and honour the Uganda Martyrs through music.

It is a sacred music project with an ecumenical/interdenominational character. The choirs from all parts of the country that participate in the festival are drawn from the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church. Choirs are at liberty to sing in the language of their locality, provided the song carries the theme and message of the martyrs.

The choirs compete in two categories, that is, the Catholic category, and the Anglican category. The overall winner in each category will walk away with sh20m (twenty million shillings). The choir intending to participate must be affiliated to a church, or a diocese (Catholic or Anglican).
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How to Participate-

Register by paying sh100,000

-Record a 3-minute video of the choir singing a hymn (with a theme of the Uganda Martyrs)

-Send it to us via WhatsApp on 0776 877 528, stating the choir’s name, church name and the diocese of the church for a chance to win!

PAYMENT OPTIONS

AIRTEL*185*9#, enter code 1175850, amount and customer reference

MTN: *165#, payments, goods and services, Merchant Code (NV3)

The deadline for submission is Monday, May 5, 2025.