Some Rwandan Christians attended Uganda Martyrs' Day celebrations, on June 3, to pay homage to the believers who were murdered for refusing to betray their faith. The event was held at Namugongo, a Catholic Basilica dedicated to Uganda’s Martyrs. The basilica is located in Wakiso District, in Kampala.
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Simon Pierre Ruterana Rutayisire, the Priest of Charles Lwanga Parish Nyamirambo, told The New Times that the Christians stuck to faith when asked to renounce Christianity. They accepted death instead of denouncing Jesus, he noted.
The parish was named after Charles Lwanga, one of the Uganda Martyrs. Rutayisire said that about 90 Christians from the parish travelled to Uganda to mark the event at Namugongo. He said there might be others who came from different parts of Rwanda and attended the event.
Athanasie Mukarusagara, one of the Christians from Charles Lwanga Parish Nyamirambo, who honoured the event said some of the martyrdom victims were burnt alive, and others were speared for standing firm in their faith, something that attracts global admiration.
"We had Eucharist mass which brought together very many people from all corners of the world because they come with thirst to come to the place where our Ugandan ancestors had the bravery to attest their faith and accepted to die because of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ,” she said.
For her, this is a critical support in faith for the believers because it serves as an aid for religious preaching, including loving Jesus.
"From that, a true Christian draws love, and zeal to serve God,” she said, observing that where there is love, there is no violence, but rather good fruits that lead other people to praise God.
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Priest Rutayisire said: "It is a great role model for us to follow Jesus.”
He noted that the religious pilgrimage to the place where they once lived is intended to thank God for bestowing them to the church, and granting them the power to be strong so that "we also base on that to ask for strength in faith.”
The religious pilgrimage to celebrate the martyrs, he said, is meant to support the mission of every Christian which is to be helpful to others and love them.
"It therefore strengthens us in terms of dedication, charitable actions that the church does in line with helping others” he said, citing feeding the hungry, and visiting patients, among others.
The Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, said the June 3 event marked the celebration of 60 years since the canonisation of the martyrs, in 1964.
"As we commemorate this day, let us draw inspiration from their courage and commitment, striving to uphold the values they so bravely defended,” he said.
"We live in a society that is increasingly consumed by vice and immorality such as malicious prostitutions, social and political marginalisation, hostility, fornication, murder, theft, corruption, and embezzlement of public funds, among others. As people of God, we are called to a higher standard. Let us emulate the Uganda Martyrs and chose the path of virtue and righteousness,” he observed.