Rev. Fr. Alfred Agwokotho from the Nebbi Catholic Diocese has urged Ugandans to emulate the Uganda Martyrs, who remained steadfast in their faith in Jesus Christ despite pressure from King Mwanga of Buganda.
According to Fr. Agwokotho, if Ugandans followed the martyrs’ example, corruption would be eradicated, as the martyrs resisted compromising their integrity for authority.
“Corruption is destroying our country because we don’t want to follow the example of the martyrs. Serving God is not just about being a brother or a sister; it is about surrendering your heart and body to God for His will to work through you,” Agwokotho stated.
He made these remarks while presiding over the general mass at the Namugongo Catholic Shrine on June 1, 2024.
Rev. Fr. Agwokotho also cautioned the pilgrims against the pursuit of authority, highlighting the tragedies it brings to societies.
“King Mwanga executed the Uganda Martyrs to assert his authority. Similarly, people have killed one another over authority. Marriages have broken because men seek to demonstrate authority. Mwanga believed he was powerful enough to kill the martyrs, but as the Bible says, all things work for the good of those who love God. We are here today because they died for their faith,” Fr. Agwokotho told the pilgrims.
He further encouraged the pilgrims to have faith in the Lord as a healer, blessing them and praying for their deliverance by the Lord.
“Your pilgrimage here is not in vain as it strengthens your desire and love to follow the example of the Uganda Martyrs,” he added.
Okaba Samuel, the chairperson of the pilgrims’ committee, assured the pilgrims of their safety and encouraged them to focus on spirituality to receive blessings.
Fr. Emmanuel Ocukuru, the Pastoral Coordinator of the Nebbi Catholic Diocese and spokesperson for this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations, noted that this year’s edition stands out due to its larger budget compared to previous years.
According to Okaba, the Uganda Martyrs celebration has attracted people from different continents, with more pilgrims expected to arrive until Monday, June 3, 2024, when the celebrations will conclude.
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