Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs
| Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs | |
|---|---|
|
Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs in 1973. | |
| Basic information | |
| Location |
Namugongo, Wakiso District,  Uganda |
| Geographic coordinates | 0°23′07″N 32°39′05″E / 0.38528°N 32.65139°ECoordinates: 0°23′07″N 32°39′05″E / 0.38528°N 32.65139°E |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| District | Archdiocese of Kampala |
| Year consecrated | 28 April 1993 |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Minor basilica |
| Website | Homepage |
| Architectural description | |
| Groundbreaking | 1965 |
| Completed | 1968 |
The Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs is a Roman Catholic minor basilica dedicated to the Ugandan Martyrs.
Location
The basilica is located at Namugongo, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, in Central Uganda. Namugongo is located approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi), by road, northeast of the central business district of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city in that East African country.[1]
History
The Namugongo Shrines were first recognised by the Late Joshua Serufusa-Zake (1884 - 25 June 1985) when he was the Sabaddu of Kira Sub-County (1827 - 1928). Joshua Serufusa-Zake constructed a structure at the Namugongo site, where it appears shrines were built later for prayer.
His interest in Christianity was enhanced by his father's participation in the wars that brought Christianity to Uganda. Joshua Serufusa-Zake's father, Semei Musoke Seruma Katiginya had earned a name for brevity 'Ngubu' from the wars. It might be of interest to note that Joshua Serufusa-Zake was born in 1884, just a year before the killings of Uganda Martyrs started.
Overview
Groundbreaking for the construction of the basilica was in 1965. Construction was completed in 1968. The basilica was decreed on 28 April 1993, and is administered by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala.[2] It is built close to the spot where Saint Charles Lwanga and Saint Kizito were burned to death in 1886 on the orders of Kabaka Mukasa Basammul'ekkere Mwanga II.[3]
Recent events
In 2014, it will be 50 years since the Uganda Martyrs were canonized and elevated to Sainthood by Pope Paul VI on 18 October 1964. The occasion will be marked by a memorial mass at the Basilica and Pope Francis is expected to be the main celebrant.[4][5]