Uganda Christian University (UCU) has been selected to lead the 2026 Martyrs’ Day celebrations, a significant event on the Church of Uganda’s calendar.
The announcement was made by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, during the 140th Martyrs’ Day celebration held at the Anglican Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
“Our provincial university, Uganda Christian University, will lead the 2026 Martyrs’ Day celebration. We look forward to a wonderful time with them, let us support and encourage them,” said Archbishop Kaziimba.
The UCU delegation to Namugongo was led by the Vice Chancellor, Canon Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi. The day’s sermon was delivered by the former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rt. Rev. Dr. Henry Luke Orombi, who urged Christians to remain steadfast in faith, drawing inspiration from the sacrifice of the Martyrs.
“They knew the pain, but they also knew the glory yet to come and I believe they were received in glory,” said Archbishop Orombi.
Archbishop Kaziimba also congratulated the Northern Uganda Cluster for leading this year’s celebration, commending the Dioceses of Northern Uganda (Rt. Rev. Godfrey Loum), Kitgum (Rt. Rev. Wilson Kitara), Lango (Rt. Rev. Prof. Alfred Olwa), West Lango (Rt. Rev. Julius Ceasar Nina Otim), Madi and West Nile (Rt. Rev. Charles Collins Andaku), and Nebbi (Rt. Rev. Pons Awinjo Ozelle).
“I was deeply encouraged by your confidence, and indeed, you delivered with excellence. Thank you, Bishops, clergy, and all the Christians of the Northern Uganda Cluster,” he said.
Archbishop Kaziimba raised serious concerns about the alarming rise in drug and substance abuse among young people.
“The rampant use of marijuana, alcohol, opioids, tobacco, and other substances is destroying lives, destabilizing families, fueling crime, and worsening mental health,” he warned.
He added, “We must urgently address this as both church and government.”
He called on the public to support chaplaincy teams in schools and at Butabika National Referral Hospital, and to engage in grassroots mental health awareness and the building of social support systems.
“I call upon all parents, teachers, clergy, and community leaders to act. Let us strengthen vigilance in our homes, open dialogue in our schools, lead spiritually grounded interventions, and support rehabilitation for those affected. Together, we can reclaim our children and secure a brighter future for Uganda,” he emphasized.
Archbishop Kaziimba also highlighted the Church of Uganda’s commitment to healthy living and introduced the Kingdom Development Organ (KIDO), a new initiative aimed at addressing healthcare access and affordability.
“This initiative will mobilize us toward health insurance and investment. We urge all members of the Church of Uganda to enroll in the KIDO Health Insurance scheme, in partnership with the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau and the Cooperative Insurance Company of Uganda (CIC),” he explained.
He also thanked President Yoweri Museveni and the government for their continued support, particularly towards faith-based tourism and the Uganda Martyrs Museum, which now receives consistent funding.
“As the Church of Uganda, we remain committed to holistic transformation. We thank God for the over 5,200 primary schools, 630 secondary schools, 50 vocational institutes, five universities, and more than 300 health facilities under our stewardship,” he said.
