The 2024 Uganda Martyrs Day ceremonies held at Namugongo in Kampala on Monday, June 3rd, came to a successful end, thanks to the work of security agencies in Uganda.

While speaking at the ceremony, the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who was the chief guest at the event for building a reliable security network in the country.

In this piece, we reveal to you how security agencies in Uganda conducted businesses that successfully delivered this year’s fete at Namugongo.

Uganda Police Force, Uganda Peoples Defense Forces and other agencies including the Internal Security Organization (ISO), External Security Organization (ESO), Crime Intelligence, and the Defense Intelligence and Security (DIS), maintained a heavy deployment of both uniform and plain-clothed operatives during the event.

An impeccable security source revealed that more than 2000 plain-clothed operatives were deployed at Namugongo few days to the actual celebration to conduct security surveillance before and during the actual celebration.

The source further revealed that in addition to the heavy deployment of both combat and plain-clothed personnel, CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kianerugaba and the Inspector General of Police activated separate security installations to remain on high alert to avert and neutralize any possible eventuality during the celebration.

According to ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police, the force deployed hundreds of personnel from the police specialized unit of the “Counter Terrorism”, CCTV cameras and police air wings to conduct aerial security surveillance through the sky to ensure maximum security during the celebrations.

“All roads leading to Namugongo Martyrs shrines were exclusively manned by plain-clothed SFC guards and counter-terrorism police. At the entrants to the main venue, there were critical check points, and while inside the venue, plain-clothed personnel from ISO, ESO, CMI, and CI maintained a strict lookout on any suspicious engagements,” said a source in security.

ASP Owoyesigyire confirmed that police deployed both foot security personnel and those from the motorized units to patrol the area.

“Congratulations to His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, CDF Gen. Kainerugaba, IGP, ISO, ESO, Crime Intelligence, CID, and Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence for securing over 2 million pilgrims that attended Martyrs Day celebrations in Namugongo yesterday,” said the Minister of State for Children’s Affairs.

This year’s celebrations were animated by the Nebbi Catholic Diocese under the theme “But as for me and my household, we shall serve the Lord,” taken from the book of Joshua 24:15.

Each year, Christians of various walks of life embark on a pilgrimage to Namugongo to honor the memory of 45 Christian converts (22 Catholics and 23 Protestants) who were martyred between 1885 and 1886 under the command of Kabaka Mwanga II, the then King of Buganda.