Today, every spot where the martyrs were killed has a shrine or church or chapel where the faithful gather to venerate the martyrs. Significant shrines are found in Namugongo area which has the catholic, protestant and Moslem memorial centers. Others can be found in Mityana, munyonyo Busega and as far as kyenjojo in western Uganda. Here, we present some of the sites found in Buganda and around Kampala where most of the Martyrs died.
The Itinerary
Busega
This is the first sight where the Anglican missionaries set up a church. At this place, Mark Kakuba – 16 years, Joseph Lugalama – 12 years, and Noa Sserwanga – 17 years were killed.
Ndeeba Monument
This is where the last martyr to be sentenced by King Mwanga, St. John Mary Muzeeyi – 35 years was executed. He could not desist from his Christian practices even after the execution of his fellow converts.
Mengo
This was King Mwanga II’s palace where some of the Martyrs were sentenced to death. Mwanga lived here with all his palace officials and wives till the time when the palace was burnt down and he relocated to Munyonyo area.
Old Kampala
At St. Matia Mulumba Parish – old Kampala is the site where Matia Mulumba – 50 years was killed. His limbs were cut off; strips of flesh cut off from his back and stayed in this mood without complaint for 3 days praying for his country and executioners.
Munyonyo
There are three sites in this area. The King’s palace/court, Andrew Kaggwa’s shrine killed at 30 years of age, and Ssebugwawo’s monument speared by King Mwanga personally and later killed at the age of 16 years by Mukajanga.
NAMUGONGO
Here, the remaining martyrs that had been condemned to death were persecuted and burnt to death. They included 13 Catholics and 10 Anglicans.
Other Martyrs’ trail tour places include;
- Nalya – Gozanga Gonza’s execution site
- Kakiri – Mukajanga’s Shrine
- Mityana, Kyenjojo, Gulu