President Museveni has directed that government funding for Martyrs Day celebrations be included in the national budget annually, acknowledging the spiritual significance and massive participation of Ugandans across all religious denominations.
“This year, the government gave the Catholics Shs2billion, the Protestants Shs2billion and the Muslims Shs200 million for this occasion. I have directed the government to make this contribution part of the government budget annually, since many Ugandans participate.” he said.
President Museveni, who was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Sports and Education Janet Kataaha Museveni, made the remarks while addressing thousands of Christians at the Namugongo Anglican site during Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations.
The celebrations were led by the Northern Uganda Cluster, under the theme: “Imitating God’s Goodness by Doing Good (Galatians 6:9–10)”.
The President emphasized the government’s continued investment in religious infrastructure.
“As you all know, the government spent billions modernizing this infrastructure you see today at both the Catholic and Protestant sites. When the Muslims are ready, we shall also support them because I am told some Muslim followers were also killed by Mwanga. May God bless all of you,” he said.
Historical reflection:
President Museveni gave a historical reflection on the arrival of new religions in Uganda, tracing Islam’s introduction in 1841 by Ahmad bin Ibrahim, Anglicanism in 1877, and Catholicism in 1879. These religions, he noted, offered new understandings of the divine, complementing Uganda’s indigenous faith traditions.
“It was wrong for Mwanga to try and kill this new perspective about the supernatural realm,” said the President. “It is good that young boys and some girls, I am told, were ready to give up their lives for freedom of worship,” he said.
The President also saluted this spirit of sacrifice.
“This is what all and sundry should know about Africans of this area: they can sacrifice for the legitimate causes they believe in,” he noted.
He also linked this historical sacrifice to modern struggles, referencing the 1981 resistance in Kikandwa against Bazilio Okello.
“Luttamaguzi Edidian, their leader, told them: ‘Temulajana’ Do not lament.”
President Museveni reiterated the importance of religious freedom and the secular character of the Ugandan state. “We believe in the freedom of worship and not coercing people to believe in this or that, as long as they do not break the law. We also believe in separating denominational issues from government matters, which are for all citizens and even non-citizens in Uganda,” he added. He invoked scripture to support this principle. “Jesus helped us in Mark 12:17: ‘Give unto God what is God’s and unto Caesar what is Caesar’s,” he said.
