The Catholic Church has cancelled Namugongo Martyr’s Day celebrations, citing coronavirus challenges, reports indicate.
Rt. Rev. Joseph Antony Zziwa, the Chairperson Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), an umbrella body of all Bishops in Uganda in latter dated April 29 said that Masaka Diocese will not be in position to organise the 2020 Namugongo Marty’s Day Celebrations citing restrictions imposed by government to halt the spread of coronavirus.
“Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba, the Bishop of Masaka Diocese has officially informed me that his diocese will not be in position to organise the 2020 Namugongo Marty’s Day Celebrations,” Bishop Zziwa wrote.
He said that position of Masaka Diocese should be understood in light for the fact that organizing the celebrations at Namugongo requires frequent meetings involving several people including government’s security agencies.
“Further, it requires unfettered movements of persons participating in the organization of the event. Above all, with the virus still alive in many countries including Uganda, it is not certain when restrictions on gatherings and movements will be lifted,” he added.
In the view of the above difficulties and uncertainty, he said, “I trust that you understand the situation and accept to postpone the Uganda Martyrs which was supposed to be held in May and June 2020”.
He said the conference will later come up with another arrangement.