Despite the fact that the Uganda Martyrs, aimed at becoming a central repository for information and artifacts related to their martyrdom, the Catholic Church is set to establish a dedicated museum.
“The museum will be situated at Uganda Martyrs University in Nkozi, just a few kilometers from the Kayabwe equator. He emphasized that this museum will have a distinctly Catholic focus.” the Kampala Archdiocesan Archivist Rev. Fr. Anthony Musuubire said.
In 2015, the Anglican Church inaugurated its museum at the site in Namugongo where the Uganda Martyrs were buried. This museum recounts the tragic story of the 45 young Christian converts (22 Anglican and 23 Catholic) who were martyred in Namugongo.
During Pope Francis visit in Uganda in 2015, the museum was inaugurated thus a significate site. However, many Catholics feel that the namugongo museum does not fully capture the complete story or encompass all relevant aspects because it lacks some corrected information and items related to the martyrs, as well as memorabilia honoring the saints, who are now regarded as foundational figures in the faith.
The Catholic Church has established various posts at significant sites, including the Martyrs’ Shrine in Namugongo, Munyonyo, Kiyinda-Mityana, and Old Kampala to supplement the Anglican-built museum.
Saint Noa Mawagga and Proto-Martyr Matia Mulumba Kalembe met their deaths, respectively in these locations thus a significant. The story of Uganda martyrs has been narrated to interested tourists and the faithful from these key sites.
“The new museum will serve as comprehensive center dedicated to all aspects related to the martyrs.” Rev.Fr. Musuubire notes. The vice chancellor of the University prof. Patrick Edrin kyamamywa emphasized that the new museum will encompass all aspects related to the martyrs including relics, scholarly materials, and artworks among others.
To position UMU, Prof kyamanywa expressed the university’s ambition for the museum that is established in honor of the martyrs- as the foremost authority on the Uganda martyrs. The university aims to use the museum to promote the martyr’s story globally.
At a time when the Catholic Church is commemorating the 60th anniversary of the canonization of the Uganda Martyrs, the concept of the museum is being proposed.
This milestone is being celebrated with various events, including an exhibition featuring items related to the Uganda Martyrs, such as first-class relics—fragments of the remains of St. Charles (Karooli) Lwanga and St. Matthias Mulumba. On Saturday at the UMU Lubaga campus the exhibition was inaugurated.
“The story of the martyrs has not been adequately shared with the world and locals, despite its richness and potential to promote faith-based tourism. “ Dr Tshimba said.
The curator of the exihibition Dr David continuously said that neither the Church nor the government has fully honored the martyrs or leveraged Martyrs’ Day on June 3 to attract larger audiences.
Dr David noted that Namugongo is currently ranked as the second-largest Christian pilgrimage event in the world, after Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, if papal visits are excluded. In Africa, it is the second-largest religious event, following the Grand Magal of Touba in Senegal. Given the massive attendance at these other two sites from people of all backgrounds, Uganda still has a long way to go in terms of drawing similar crowds.
