The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, the Anglican archbishop of Nigeria, has commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for providing a friendly environment for Christianity to thrive.

According to Ndukuba, it’s because of the prevailing freedom of worship in Uganda that many followers of Christ from different continents of the world have been able to gather to celebrate the lives of the Uganda martyrs who died because of their faith in God.

“I thank President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for allowing Ugandan Christians and people of other faiths to practice their beliefs. Today, we celebrate the 23 Anglicans and 22 Catholics who were martyred. We thank God for this opportunity,” Most Rev. Ndukuba said.

Archbishop Ndukuba made the remarks while preaching at the Namugongo Anglican Martyrs site during the Martyrs’ Day celebrations on Monday, June 3, 2024.

Ndukuba also commended the President for providing security to both Catholic and Anglican pilgrims that enabled them to walk safely to the pilgrimage sites.

While preaching, Ndukuba urged the pilgrims to have strong faith in Jesus Christ even in times of temptation and tests, stating that God wants them to have tested faith, which is why he allows tests to come in their way.

“You need to have tested faith. What you have done here in Uganda to walk from where you were to the shrine is an indicator of tested faith. What the Church of Uganda has done is extraordinary,” Arch. Ndukuba said.

The mass at the Anglican site was attended by different political leaders, including the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, Anita Annet, who represented President Museveni as the chief guest; the former Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi; and the Government Chief Whip, Hamson Obua, among others.