President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has praised the believers and religious leaders in Uganda for supporting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ideology.
“I want to thank the believers of Uganda and their religious leaders for adopting the NRM ideology,” he said.
President Museveni, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, made these remarks as the Chief Guest during the Uganda Martyrs Day Celebrations at Namugongo.
ADVERTISEMENT
The celebrations followed the theme: “As for me and my household, we shall serve the Lord,” taken from Joshua 24:15.
President Museveni expressed his happiness that believers and religious leaders had managed to reject sectarianism based on religion and tribes, which had caused chaos in Uganda before the NRM government came into power in 1986.
“From the 1960s and even earlier, Ugandans were divided by tribes and religion, which caused chaos. This sectarianism led to instability in Uganda. When the NRM came, you opposed this very firmly,” the President noted.
He mentioned that the leaders formed the Inter-Religious Council after the NRM came into power. He described the Council as a form of “NRM-ism,” aligning it with the NRM’s principles. “Jesus made it clear: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ This is the NRM line. I’m glad that you embraced it.”
Furthermore, President Museveni encouraged believers to work towards improving their welfare through wealth creation.
“As Christians and other believers, you must multiply your talents. It’s not right for Christians and other believers to live in poverty. How can Christians influence others by example if they only talk and don’t act? We should work with religious leaders to promote the message of eradicating poverty from our homes. I don’t want Uganda to be religious but poor. I started opposing that in the 1960s while living in Ntungamo, Isingiro, and Kiruhura. We had very religious people there, but they believed that God would provide for them even when they didn’t work. I disagreed with those born-again Christians, and I’m glad they have now woken up,” he explained.
He also urged the youth to focus on ideas that would transform Uganda and Africa instead of spending much time on unproductive activities like watching European football.
“You young people spend so much time watching European football and don’t pay attention to what is happening in Africa. The African youth are totally diverted. You don’t hear them talk about the integration of Africa, which Mwalimu Nyerere was fighting for and what we are fighting for,” President Museveni stressed.
“Today, Uganda is a country of martyrs. Those who talk about issues like homosexuality don’t know that Uganda is a land of martyrs. If you want to play around, you can, but you will not like what you see.”
The President also reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption.
He promised that the government would work with the Church to ensure the completion of the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine construction.
Representing President Museveni at the Anglican Church in Namugongo, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, said the story of the Uganda Martyrs shows that it is impossible to suppress correct ideas, especially if they are based on godliness and humanity.
“Some people have tried to fight new and dynamic ideas. However, history has taught us that if an idea is correct and progressive, it will eventually triumph. The teachings of Christianity are beneficial for every individual and society. The Gospel helps to cultivate a fear of God and love for others, regardless of tribe, region, or religion,” President Museveni said.
“The fear of God teaches believers to avoid evil practices that break their connection with the Creator. It makes you accountable to a Heavenly Father who watches everything you do, even in darkness. Christians know they will face judgment for their words and actions on earth. Therefore, many evils like corruption, embezzlement, defilement, and murder occur due to a lack of godly guidance in people’s hearts. The fear of God imparts honesty, integrity, and self-control,” he added.
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja praised President Museveni for the peace and security in the country that enabled events like the Uganda Martyrs Day Celebrations to proceed without interruptions.
“People came from various places, and we didn’t have any major incidents of insecurity,” she said.
“With your able leadership, Your Excellency, Uganda is now connected by tarmac roads from North to South, from East to West, facilitating the travel of our pilgrims to Namugongo.”
In his sermon, Archbishop-elect of the Gulu Archdiocese and Apostolic Bishop of Nebbi Diocese Rt. Rev Fr. Raphael P’Mony Wokorach highlighted that the story of the Uganda Martyrs is similar to those who choose to trust in the Lord. Nebbi Diocese last led Martyrs Day celebrations in 2007, a public holiday in Uganda that is becoming an African religious event celebrating these Saints of the Church.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Luigi Bianco, delivered a message from Pope Francis, stating that the Solemnity of the Uganda Martyrs represents a special moment of faith and grace for the Church and Christians in Uganda, strengthened by the example and intercession of the martyrs.
The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, His Grace Paul Ssemogerere, thanked the Archdiocese of Nebbi for leading this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations and thanked God for the 60 years since the canonization of the Uganda Martyrs.
“The martyrdom of the martyrs is a statement of their unwavering faith and courage in the face of persecution. This year, we celebrate 60 years since their canonization. This day is celebrated annually to remind humanity of the importance of faith, resilience, unity, and witnessing to Christ,” he said.
The Archbishop also called on believers to follow the example of the Uganda Martyrs by choosing the path of virtue and righteousness.
“We live in a society increasingly consumed by immorality such as malicious prosecutions, social and political marginalization, fornication, murder, theft, corruption, and embezzlement of public funds,” Archbishop Ssemogerere noted.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, senior government officials, including Ministers, former government leaders, cultural leaders led by the Alur King Philip Olarker Rauni III, and Mama Nyerere from Tanzania. Pilgrims from countries like Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo were also present.
