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| The Uganda Tourism Board, through their new Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Bradford Ochieng (second left) hands over a dummy cheque of US$25,644 (Ushs96m) to Archbishop Odama |
With less than a week to the 2019 Uganda Martyrs Day (UMD) celebration, the Archdiocese of Gulu is still constrained in a financial crisis of about US$133,568 (Uganda Shillings 500 million) required to meet approximately US$245,000 (UShs900 million) that was initially budgeted for the celebration, the Archbishop of Gulu, Most Rev. John Baptist Odama said.
“As we draw closer to the great day, we are still faced with some challenges. So far we have realized only about 40% of our budget of Ushs900m,” Archbishop Odama told journalists during a press conference on Thursday, May 23 at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat in Nsambya, Kampala.
He added, “I would like to make a final appeal to all men and women of good will to support the Archdiocese of Gulu to realize the shortfall in the budget which is very much needed for the success of the occasion.”
The archbishop also appealed to all those who had pledged to contribute towards the celebration to honor them so as to enable proper planning.
“There are so many pledges that have not been honored. We need the money now to realize the essential items budgeted for the success of this important National event. Our success is your success and the success of the nation,” he noted.
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| Archbishop Odama (center) during the press conference flanked by the Secretary General of Uganda Episcopal Conference, Msgr John Baptist Kauta and the Uganda Tourism Board, through their new Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Bradford Ochieng |
During the same press conference, the Uganda Tourism Board, through their new Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Bradford Ochieng handed over a dummy cheque of US$25,644 (Ushs96m) to Archbishop Odama towards the celebration.
Meanwhile, foot pilgrims from various dioceses in the country including 680 from Lira Diocese and 300 from Gulu, have embarked on a spiritual journey to Namugongo for the commemoration of the 2019 UMD celebration. Most of the pilgrims are women, making their show of commitment to the faith.
The archdiocese has also organized a special novena to the Martyrs to start on Saturday May 25 until June 2, just a day before the actual celebration slated for June 3. The faithful are encouraged to observe this novena by reciting Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to the Father prayers and invoke the Uganda Martyrs.
This year’s celebration, which will be celebrated under the theme, “Obey God Always and Everywhere” (Acts 4:19), is expected to attract over four million pilgrims worldwide.
Special contributions toward the celebration can be made through Centenary Bank, Gulu Main Branch, under the following account details: Account name: Archdiocese of Gulu Namugongo Martyrs celebrations: Account Number: 3100059093.
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