Uganda Martyrs’ Trail Pilgrimage Tour

The back-view of the newly-constructed amphitheater at the Uganda Martyrs Anglican Shrine, Namugongo.
Photo by Mathias Mazinga

Their zealous soul enriching faith was priceless that their lives didn’t matter as well. Their conviction paves way today, inspiring multitudes of believers globally. Before their persecution and ultimately killing, they moved from a point of decision to the point of death.
This one-day Martyrs trail leads you through the walk of faith, in the same journey of the 45 Uganda martyrs, from Munyonyo to Namugongo. This is a must do kind of soul inspiring journey for every believer, soaking themselves in divinity and practice it just like “the way of the cross.”

Munyonyo Minor Basilica; at the current spot where the basilica is sat the Buganda Kings palace. This is where the martyrdom tale starts.

In the morning, a driver will pick you up from your hotel and head out to Munyonyo minor basilica where the whole execution started.

At this spot is where the then King of Buganda decreed the killing of those who refused to denounce their faith and was to be done at a designated spot in “Nakiyanja” in Namugongo currently where the Anglican museum is established. Before departing, two Martyrs’ were killed on site here.

From Munyonyo, the proceeded to Mengo Palace. After the verdict, King Mwanga left Munyonyo for Mengo and they came following him as they were being tortured. At Mengo, the torture the trail continues to old Kampala.

When the Martyrs reached Old Kampala, the most tortured and exhausted Matia Mulumba was abandoned to die and he indeed died after three days of starvation and in dire pain.
From old Kampala. the trail continued through Mulago, Ntinda to Kamuli Lubaawo which is Gonza Gonzaga’s death point. And there is a mark here in his memory.
From here, the Martyrs’ proceeded to Namugongo martyrs’ catholic basilica. Later on, the rest of the Uganda Martyrs’’ were taken to the dedicated kill zone/place/point known as Nakiyanja in Namugongo currently the Anglican Museum space. This currently is a place where the Uganda Anglican sanctuary is found. It has museum put up now to document the story.

There are three option of how this Martyrs’ trail can be explored by: Riding bicycles which can be rented or hired at $50 per bike. By walking in the replica of how they did it at an extra $ 15 per person. By car with an open roof at an extra fee of $ 200 per group.
Other places not in the Martyrs trail yet equally important in the faith of the Uganda Martyrs like: