Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Against the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic and directives given by the Government and World Health Organization (WHO) including among others restrictions of public gatherings, to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) has indefinitely postponed the celebrations of the Martyrs’ Day which were slated for Friday, May 29 to Wednesday, June 3.
“Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba, the Bishop of the Diocese of Masaka, has officially informed me that his Diocese will not be in position to organize the 2020 Namugongo Martyrs Day celebrations,” the Chairman Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa stated in a letter addressed to Church leaders.
Masaka Diocese was responsible for the 2020 Uganda Martyrs Day, which is an annual event in remembrance of 22 Catholics and 23 Anglicans who were killed during the reign of Kabaka Mwanga II,the King of the Baganda, on his order.
“The position of Masaka Diocese should be understood in light of the fact that organizing the celebrations at Namugongo requires frequent meetings involving several people, including Government's security agencies,” Bishop Zziwa of Kiyinda Mityana diocese explained and continued, “It demands unfettered movement of persons participating in the organization of the events.”
“With the virus still alive in many countries including Uganda, it is not certain when restrictions on gatherings and movements will be lifted,” the Prelates stated in the letter dated Wednesday, April 29 adding that even if the ban was lifted, the preparation time for the event would not be enough.
Acknowledging in his letter the “difficulties and uncertainty” of the situation, the 64-year-old Prelate Bishop Zziwa said, “I trust that you understand the situation and accept the decision to postpone the Uganda Martyrs’ Day.”