The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has requested President Yoweri Museveni to develop three Martyrdom sites in Busoga, saying that they will improve local tourism and religious tourism which will boost Uganda’s revenue and also put the sites on the world map.
Kadaga made the call at the 133rd commemoration anniversary of the Martyrdom of Bishop James Hannington, the first Bishop of Equatorial East Africa and the First Martyr of Uganda, at Kyando Village, Mayuge District on Monday, 29 October 2018.
“Your Excellency, I request that you set up plans to renovate Bishop Hannington site, just as Namugongo Martyrs Shrine was renovated, as this will attract more people to Busoga to cultivate their faith,” said Kadaga.
The sites for renovation include Matia Mulumba in Mayuge, Gonza Gonzaga in Kalila and the Bishop Hannington site in Kayando, which the Speaker said will improve the image of Busoga region.
“Without unity, we shall not develop and without development, we shall not fruitfully address chronic problems that have for a long time failed our beloved Kingdom from rising in all its glory,” Kadaga added.
President Museveni, in his remarks, directed that Bishop Hannington Day be declared a public holiday, with instructions to Ministry of Lands and Busoga Diocese to work hand in hand in activities to develop the site in memory of the martyred Bishop.
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rt. Rev. Stanley Ntagali, applauded Uganda Tourism Board for organizing Bishop Hannington memorial anniversary, and donated five hectares of Church land to Century Hotel, to build guest houses in a bid to promote tourism.
The anniversary event was jointly organized by Busoga Diocese, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Busoga Tourism Initiative, where the Bishop Hannington memorial site was inaugurated as a tourist attraction.
