President Museveni Directs Annual Government Support To Martyrs Day Celebrations скачать в хорошем качестве

President Museveni Directs Annual Government Support To Martyrs Day Celebrations

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today directed that government funding for Martyrs Day celebrations be included in the national budget annually, acknowledging the spiritual significance and massive participation of Ugandans across all religious denominations. “This year, the government gave the Catholics Shs 2 billion, the Protestants Shs 2 billion and the Muslims Shs 200 million for this occasion,” he said. “I have directed the government to make this contribution part of the government budget annually, since many Ugandans participate.” President Museveni, who was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Sports and Education, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, made the remarks while addressing thousands of Christians at the Namugongo Anglican site during Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations. The celebrations were led by the Northern Uganda Cluster, under the theme: “Imitating God’s Goodness by Doing Good (Galatians 6:9–10)”. The President emphasized the government’s continued investment in religious infrastructure. “As you all know, the government spent billions modernizing this infrastructure you see today at both the Catholic and Protestant sites. When the Muslims are ready, we shall also support them because I am told some Muslim followers were also killed by Mwanga. May God bless all of you,” he said. Historical reflection: President Museveni gave a historical reflection on the arrival of new religions in Uganda, tracing Islam’s introduction in 1841 by Ahmad bin Ibrahim, Anglicanism in 1877, and Catholicism in 1879. These religions, he noted, offered new understandings of the divine, complementing Uganda’s indigenous faith traditions. “It was wrong for Mwanga to try and kill this new perspective about the supernatural realm,” said the President. “It is good that young boys and some girls, I am told, were ready to give up their lives for freedom of worship,” he said. The President also saluted this spirit of sacrifice. “This is what all and sundry should know about Africans of this area: they can sacrifice for the legitimate causes they believe in,” he noted. He also linked this historical sacrifice to modern struggles, referencing the 1981 resistance in Kikandwa against Bazilio Okello. “Luttamaguzi Edidian, their leader, told them: ‘Temulajana’ Do not lament.” President Museveni reiterated the importance of religious freedom and the secular character of the Ugandan state. “We believe in the freedom of worship and not coercing people to believe in this or that, as long as they do not break the law. We also believe in separating denominational issues from government matters, which are for all citizens and even non-citizens in Uganda,” he added. He invoked scripture to support this principle. “Jesus helped us in Mark 12:17: ‘Give unto God what is God’s and unto Caesar what is Caesar’s,” he said. President Museveni urged believers to never mix politics with denominational loyalty. “Politics is about our welfare on Earth. Denominations and religion are about spirituality on Earth and life after, which religious leaders can explain better,” he said. Drawing on his past experience as President of the Scripture Union (1965–1966), he quoted from Luke 10:30-35, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, to highlight religious tolerance and service. “The Samaritan helped the injured man while his fellow Jews, who were religious leaders, passed him by. Jesus praised the Samaritan. We shall know them by their fruits,” he said. He quoted the Church of Uganda Prayer Book, page 207. “Let your light so shine before men that they see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Uganda Martyrs Day is a national religious holiday observed every year on June 3rd. It honors the 45 young Christian converts - 22 Catholics and 23 Anglicans who were killed between 1885 and 1887 in the historical kingdom of Buganda (now part of modern-day Uganda). As the calendar turns to June, a sacred rhythm takes hold across Uganda and neighboring countries. In the quiet early mornings and under the scorching afternoon sun, thousands of men, women, and children make their way on foot many for hundreds of kilometers to Namugongo. They come to commemorate Uganda Martyrs Day, a solemn yet powerful celebration of sacrifice, conviction, and enduring faith. The Namugongo Martyrs Shrine has evolved into a global religious landmark, attracting pilgrims from across East Africa and as far afield as Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Kenya. On the other hand, the church of Uganda also commemorates 140 years of the Uganda Martyrs, this year.