On most years, young Christians make their way to Namugongo Anglican Martyrs Site and gather inside the auditorium, joining thousands in prayer, reflection, and remembrance of the Uganda Martyrs.
But this year, the journey will begin long before they arrive.
In a first of its kind initiative, the Church of Uganda, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, is inviting young people to step out of the auditorium and onto the road, launching a nationwide Walk of Faith that reimagines how the Martyrs’ legacy is experienced.
Rather than simply assembling at the sacred site, an estimated 2,000 youth are expected to walk together on May 29, transforming a familiar annual gathering into a pilgrimage in motion. Each step becomes an act of reflection, echoing the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering belief of the martyrs.
The initiative signals a deliberate shift, one that places young people at the centre of both faith and national identity. Launched at Namirembe Cathedral, the walk is being framed as more than a spiritual exercise. It is an invitation for a new generation to actively engage with a story they have long inherited.
Representing the Provincial Secretary, Church of Uganda’s Provincial Treasurer Balaam Muheebwa described the walk as a call for young people to deepen their faith through action, not just attendance.
For many, Martyrs Day has often meant arriving at Namugongo and taking part in organised prayers. This year’s approach changes that rhythm. It invites participants to experience the journey itself, to walk, reflect, and connect with the meaning of sacrifice in a more personal and intentional way.
The pilgrimage will begin early in the morning, with participants assembling at key points across the city, including Kampala City Square, St Phillip’s and Andrew’s Cathedral, and Nakawa, before converging at St Peter’s Church of Uganda Kamuli. From there, the walk will be flagged off, guiding pilgrims toward Namugongo.
Along the route, moments of prayer will anchor the journey. A stopover at St Francis Basilica Kyaliwajjala will offer space for reflection before the final stretch to the martyrs’ site.
For Rev. Emmanuel Koboi, the Provincial Youth and Students Coordinator, the symbolism is clear. Walking together is faith in action, a shared experience that builds unity, strengthens belief, and reconnects young people to the foundations of Christianity in Uganda.
Bernadette Asiimwe Bazirake from the Ministry of Tourism
The involvement of the tourism ministry adds another layer to the initiative. Speaking on behalf of the ministry, Bernadette Asiimwe Bazirake emphasised that the walk is an opportunity to deepen Uganda’s pilgrimage culture while expanding faith based tourism.
By moving beyond a single day of commemoration, she noted, the initiative has the potential to grow domestic tourism and position Uganda more strongly as a global destination for faith driven experiences. It also opens up new ways for communities along the route to engage with and benefit from the pilgrimage.
As preparations intensify, local leaders are mobilising youth across dioceses, while authorities ensure the route is ready to host the expected crowds. Security agencies have also stepped in to guide the process, urging pilgrims to move in organised groups, remain vigilant, and prioritise safety throughout the journey. Emphasis has been placed on daytime travel, road safety, and avoiding carrying valuable items, as well as encouraging parents to take extra care, especially where children are concerned.
The goal is not just participation, but transformation, both spiritual and communal.
Because at its core, this walk is about more than reaching Namugongo.
It is about rediscovering what it means to believe, to commit, and to move, step by step, in faith.