Martyrs Day: Museveni draws line between religion and politics at Namugongo
The President also used the occasion to announce that, “the government contributed over Shs2 billion each to the Anglican and Catholic commemorations this year,” a gesture he pledged to entrench as an annual government responsibility.
As the beating drums and solemn hymns of Martyrs Day rose into the sky over Namugongo, President Yoweri Museveni used the sacred gathering to deliver a message both reverent and political: the Church must not become a campaign platform.
Addressing tens of thousands of pilgrims at the Anglican shrine, Museveni drew a clear boundary between spiritual leadership and political activism. In his view, Uganda’s hard-won stability still hangs in the balance, and sectarianism, especially when disguised in the robes of religion, remains a lurking threat.
“Politics is about our welfare here on earth. Religion is about spirituality here and the life after in heaven,” Museveni declared. “Religious leaders should focus on matters of faith, while political leaders deal with the affairs of state.”
The statement was more than a philosophical musing, it was a strategic reminder at a time when Uganda’s religious spaces are increasingly seen as platforms for civic influence. It also landed against the backdrop of Northern Uganda’s historic hosting of this year’s commemoration, a region that has seen both spiritual revival and deep political trauma.
Despite reports of violent incidents over 30 kilometers away, security forces maintained firm control around the shrine. The President and First Lady Janet Museveni arrived under heavy military and police deployment. A 400-member choir from the Northern diocesan cluster led the liturgy, their harmonies carrying above the sea of worshippers.
More than 600,000 pilgrims converged at both Anglican and Catholic shrines, affirming Martyrs Day’s reputation as one of Africa’s largest annual religious pilgrimages.
Museveni reflected on the legacy of the 45 Christian converts executed under Kabaka Mwanga II between 1885 and 1887. Their martyrdom, he said, symbolized African resilience in the face of tyranny.
The President also used the occasion to announce that, “the government contributed over Shs2 billion each to the Anglican and Catholic commemorations this year,” a gesture he pledged to entrench as an annual government responsibility.
Earlier in the day, former Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi delivered a deeply reflective sermon. His warning was direct: Uganda is facing a moral decline, fueled by spiritual apathy and the normalization of violence.
“If you take God out of the nation, the nation loses her soul,” Orombi warned, urging Ugandans to reclaim values of compassion and justice.
Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, who presided over the Anglican service, called the pilgrimage “a reminder of God’s mercy and the enduring power of faith.”
Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, who chaired the national organizing committee, praised Northern Uganda’s transformation from a conflict-ridden region into one capable of uniting the country through faith. This year’s pilgrimage, she said, was a testament to peace, resilience, and national healing.
As Uganda balances faith and governance, the President’s caution was unmistakable: the Church must guide souls, not sway ballots. And in Namugongo, where history bleeds into hope, the tension between altar and authority continues to unfold.
