President Yoweri Museveni has hailed Ugandans for remaining strong and defeating the Covid19 pandemic which brought the nation and the world to a standstill since 2020.
President Museveni in his message on the occasion of the first physical celebrations in two years to mark Martyrs Day at Namugongo, said he was grateful to God “for shielding Uganda from the nightmare of mass deaths, as was sadly witnessed in some parts of the globe.”
“During the Covid pandemic, all gatherings were stopped to contain the spread of the virus; but, nevertheless, because God is omnipresent, believers continued worshiping and praying int heir respective homes. Indeed, the Lord heard our humble prayers and spared our lives,” he said.
“Now that the Lord’s anger has passed and the virus has been defeated, believers are again at liberty to congregate and worship the Almighty God.”
In the message, the President also paid tribute to the Uganda Martrs why were killed by Buganda’s King Mwanga due to their religious faith.
These Martyrs Museveni said, died at the hands of the tribal chiefs of the time, who he said had no regard for human life.
“The tribal Kings and Chiefs, who ruled Africa in the pre-colonial era, had little regard for the worth and sanctity of human life. Human beings were mere playthings in their hands. Kabaka Mutesa I, for example, was known as Mukaabya-“a causer of tears.” The Kings and Chiefs, who were evidently cruel glory-seekers clothed in animal skins and accustomed to being addressed in high-sounding titles, had little regard for human life,” he said.
Nonetheless, Museveni said, the priceless sacrifice that the martyrs made, turned out to strengthen religious faiths in the country.
“We salute them for their steadfastness, despite being new converts to the Christian faith. They paid the ultimate price of death at the hands of an insecure and paranoid Monarch. They did not die in vain. Their fortitude and endurance continue to win souls for the Kingdom of God. This is why, every year, thousands of pilgrims trek to Namugongo from every corner of Uganda and outside our borders to emulate the Uganda Martyrs’ spirit of sacrifice and total surrender to God.”
At the Uganda Martyrs Celebrations at Namugongo, President Museveni was represented by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja
