Catholic Church to reconstruct Namugongo pilgrimage site - Cultura Safaris in Uganda

Namugongo Pilgrimage site was canonised by Pope Paul VI in memory of the 22 Catholic martyrs whore were burnt alive by Kabake Mwanga of Buganda.These martyrs were killed because of their faith to God and yet the Kabaka wanted them to believe in the Kiganda religion (African Traditional Religion).This site is one of the leading cultural destinations in Uganda and it has greatly led to increase in Cultural safaris.

Dr.Cyprian Kizito Lwanga,the Archbishop of Kampala,said that the plans for reconstruction of Namugongo Martyrs pilgrimage site is finalized.An open-air pavilion and hotels will be constructed while the Island altar and a lake trough will be renovated.

People at Namugongo Pilgrimage site

Other facilities like the a new house for visiting clergy and museum are to be setup.The meseum will contain all the relevant  history of each of the Uganda martyrs and their portraits shall be displayed or easy view.This will enable the visitors to have a visual side of the history.


The Archbishop said that all the walkways will be paved and the roads will be tarmacked.This will promote easy movement by the visitors while at the site.Two dorminotories,one for males and the other for females are to be constructed plus washrooms and a restaurant.

The problem of dirty lake water that the park has been facing will be solved by draining the lake and the basin worked on to create a permanent  clean water trough.The water will further be protected by a perimeter wall which will stop people from contaminating it.

Dr.Cyprian Kizito Lwanga said that a new altar shall be erected at the extreme end of the lake,where the new pavilion will be built.This altar will be big enough to give the pilgrims a splendid view from either the terraces or the pavilion.

A police station that accommodates 10 policemen plus their families,will be constructed at the site.This is to boost the security of the visitors and it will be named St.Ponsiano Ngondwe.

The whole project of reconstruction is expected to end by October,just in time for celebrations to mark 50 years since the Uganda martyrs were canonised by Pope Paul VI and declared as saints at St.Peter's Basilica,Rome on 18th October,1964.

Pope Francis is expected to grace the celebration by making a pilgrimage to Namugongo.By the mere fact that Pope is coming to Uganda,the number of visitors will increase and many cultural safaris in Uganda shall be registered.