Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine

The Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine is a distinctive spiritual place to most

Christians in Uganda and the neighboring countries. It is situated about 11
kilometers from Kampala in an area called Namugongo in Wakiso district. The
Martyrs’ shrine has a very beautiful exterior made of copper pillars which are
about 100ft long.

The Shrine was constructed to remember the 32 young men that were brutally
murdered under the orders of the King of Buganda Kabaka Mwanga II. These
young men were told to renounce Christianity, and they refused, they were
given a few days in case they change their minds but they refused, so on 3rd
June 1886 they were burnt till their last breath.

Every year on 3rd June, thousands of Christians both Catholics (majority) and
Anglicans from all over the world gather at this shrine to honor the religious
beliefs and lives of martyrs’. Many pilgrims start their journey to the Martyrs’
shrine in the last weeks of May, most of them are seen walking on foot along
the main highways in different parts of the Country. They go ahead to fast as
they give thanks to God, they believe by walking on foot they get blessings
from God.