Fr. Emmanuel Ocukuru, the pastoral coordinator of the Nebbi Catholic Diocese and also the Spokesperson for this year’s martyrs’ day celebrations, has appealed to the pilgrims to maintain good morals and focus on spirituality.

According to Ocukuru, the organizers of this year’s edition of martyrs celebrations are expecting the biggest number of pilgrims compared to the previous years, stating that it becomes tempting for some individuals to engage in immoral acts as more men and women are coming in. He explained that bad morals can include stealing and using abusive language, among others.

“However, these people have come with a wealth of spirituality, and they have been moving together, sleeping together, and waking up joyfully without thinking of anything like immorality. Sincerely speaking, those who are on site are spiritually enriched and cannot be tempted by any evil,” Ocukuru said.

He made remarks shortly after the meeting with the liturgy team held at the Namugongo Catholic Shrine on Friday, May 31, 2024.

Fr. Ocukuru also confirmed that security is on standby to eliminate potential agents of bad behavior who may stumble on other pilgrims.

“That is why we are happy with the measures the security has taken so that wrong elements are flashed out to allow those with rightful intentions to commune with God,” Fr. Ocukuru said.

Commenting on the challenges faced by the organizers, Samuel Okaba, the head of the pilgrims committee, said that space is becoming smaller each day for the arriving pilgrims, adding that the number of pilgrims may exceed the expected 1.3 million.

“The challenge we have here is locating spaces for them. The space meant for foreign pilgrims has already been occupied by pilgrims, yet we expect more people to come. Challenges of hygiene are being addressed by the committee to ensure proper sanitation within the premises of the shrine,” Okaba said.

Ocukuru revealed that the committee is finalizing the liturgy, and soon all will be set for the main mass to happen.

According to Ocukuru, this year, Nebbi Catholic Diocese from North Western Uganda is set to animate the liturgy at Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine under the theme “But as for Me and My Household, We Shall Serve the Lord,” taken from Joshua 24:15.

The commemoration of Uganda Martyrs Day is an event held annually on June 3rd in memory of a group of 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican converts who were executed on orders of King Mwanga between January 31, 1885, and January 27, 1887.