Martyrs' Day is commemorated every year on June 3, in remembrance of the young Christian converts who refused to denounce their newly found religion between 1885 and 1887 to the annoyance of the then Kabaka Mwanga II of Buganda. He ordered that they are burnt to death.
Goretti Namakula, one of the religious that paid pilgrimage to Kitovu said that although the diocese authorities had advised them to virtually follow celebrations from Namugongo via various media channels, her enthusiasm to venerate through the martyrs could not be satisfied from home, hence choosing to at least spend a day at the Cathedral.
Normally the celebrations create unease for the residents of Namugongo and neighbouring areas resulting from restrictions in movement, road closures and the presence of millions of pilgrims who converge for the annual celebration. But with the surge of COVID-19 cases, the celebration this year was restricted to invited guests only.
