2 Days Uganda Martyrs Trail Namugongo Catholic Shrine Tour
Overview
Follow the path of Uganda Martyrs, visit some of the most iconic churches and monuments.
This tour takes you through the trail of “Uganda martyrs” killed in a story of faith, courage and Cruelty.
It’s Uganda and perhaps East Africa’s most important place of Christian pilgrimage. Starting from the killing of Catholics at Munyonyo – 12kms south of Kampala city, finally 20kms east, to Namugongo shrine/museum – the final execution sites.
Between 1885 and 1887, young men who served as servants at the courtyard of a local King – Mwanga were put to death at Namugongo for refusing demands from their ruler to denounce their faith. They were among the first Christian converts in this country.
It was at Munyonyo lake side, that the king made a final fateful decision to begin putting Christians & some Muslims to death for their faith. All Christian servants – now prisoners were sentenced to death, bound to each other, brutally made to walk, escorted by merciless soldiers – dragged over a few days until majority finally reached the final execution site at Namugongo – east of the current Kampala city. All were finally killed at Namugongo on 3rd June 1886!
Every 3rd June and days preceding it, over 1 million people pay pilgrimage at Namugongo. Close to 500,000 pilgrims walk up to 300 miles on foot for days to Namugongo to pay pilgrimage. Pilgrims include; participants from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and some from as far away as South Africa, Malawi and Nigeria.
Highlights
The trail of the “Uganda martyrs”
Buganda Kingdom parliament and kings palace – Lubiri.
Namiremebe cathedral the oldest cathedral in Uganda.
Kasubi Tombs and Namugongo Martyrs Museum & Shrine
Uganda Martys trail namugongo catholic shrine
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Visiting Munyonyo shrine, Buganda Kingdom parliament and kings palace – Lubiri, Rubaga Cathedral
8.00 am: Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Entebbe/Kampala, drive to start at Munyonyo site, Proceed to Buganda Kingdom parliament – Bulange and king’s palace – Lubiri. Find out why the kings palace was once used as a military barracks. Buganda is one ancient traditional kingdom in eastern and central Africa. At Lubiri is a chance to see for president Amin’s prison – get firsthand experience of Amins torture chambers.
Go via Nantaweta junction, a ‘drive through ‘only used by the King of Buganda,
2 pm: Proceed to Rubaga Cathedral – one of the oldest churches whose glass windows have unique writings of the ‘Uganda martyrs, a spot where the king of Buganda wrote a letter inviting missionaries to Uganda. Proceed to Namiremebe cathedral the oldest cathedral in Uganda. Excursion today ends with a tour of National Mosque at Old Kampala for a 360 degree view of 7 hills of Kampala.
Luxury: Nagulu Skyz Hotel
Day 2: Visiting Kasubi Tombs and Namugongo Martyrs Museum & Shrine
8.30 am: Drive to Kasubi tombs – established 1880, where royals of the Buganda kingdom are buried, it’s one of the remaining green compound, a burial ground for the previous four kings of Bungada ‘Kabakas’, makes it a very important center for the royal family, a place where the Kabaka and his representatives frequently carry out important rituals related to Ganda culture
11 am: Transfer to Namugongo Martyrs Museum & Shrine, where servants to a local king were burnt to death for refusing to denounce their Christian faith.
“Uganda martyrs” killed in a story of faith, courage and Cruelty. It’s Uganda and perhaps East Africa’s most important place of Christian pilgrimage. Starting from the killing of Catholics at Munyonyo – 12kms south of Kampala city, through Busega- a site of first protestant killings – finally 20kms east, to Namugongo shrine/museum – the final execution sites.
Between 1885 and 1887, young men who served as servants at the courtyard of a local King – Mwanga were put to death at Namugongo for refusing demands from their ruler to denounce their faith. They were among the first Christian converts in this country. Transfer back to hotel.
Luxury: Nagulu Skyz Hotel
End of tour Uganda Martyrs Trail Tour.
Package cost offer includes the following services:
Pick up from your hotel to and from in Kampala
Professional Guide & transportation
Activities and entrance fees
Tour price Excludes:
Flights, Visa for Uganda and travel Insurance
Food and drinks, Gratuities
Tips/donations and personal expenses.
Package cost excludes the following services
International and Visa entry charges to Uganda
All items of personal use i.e. drinks, laundry, telephone calls, gratuities, personal travel insurances – etc.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
All visitors to Uganda must have a valid passport with at least 4 consecutive blanks pages. Any applicable visa and/or relevant documentation are the responsibility of the traveller. For further information on Visa requirements visitors are advised to contact their nearest Ugandan Embassy or Consulate.
LANGUAGE:
English
TIME:
GMT +3
VOLTAGE:
220 Volts/AC50Hz. Sockets are UK style, 3 pin square plugs. Power is from the National Grid in the city/major towns and generator with inverter back up in the Safari Lodges and Camps.
CURRENCY:
Foreign currency must be changed at the Bank, Bureau de Change, and Hotel/Safari lodge/Camp/Resort. Major Credit Cards, Master card, Visa, American Express, are usually accepted throughout the country. Where credit cards are accepted, the payment will normally be recorded in US$ regardless of the card’s default currency.
CLOTHING:
Dress is mainly informal and should be comfortable as well as practical. Something warm should be brought along for early morning and evenings. Safari clothes are available from hotels/lodges/camps.
BAGGAGE:
Where possible, travel light. Baggage space on safari is limited to medium suitcase or soft bag per person plus reasonable amount of hand luggage. There is 15 Kilogram per person limit on all flights to the wildlife sanctuaries. Excess luggage must be stored in your arrival hotel.
WATER:
You will find many different of opinion of what is safe and what is not. We recommend for peace of mind, to drink local Bottled Mineral water. It is important to drink plenty of water especially during the hotter months. We would recommend that guests drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration.
HEALTH;
East Africa is a safe and secure destination; however, it is a good idea to take a few precautions. Kindly consult your GP or local doctor at least 6 weeks before you travel, with regards:
Malaria prophylactics. East Africa is a known malaria area and preventive measures are essential. You are advised to take one of the recommended anti-malarial drugs. Be sure to wear long sleeved shorts and trousers after sunset and spray the exposed parts of your body with a mosquito repellent spray
Remember to protect yourself from direct sun rays with sunscreen cream or safari hat.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:
For those guests with specific dietary requirement, please ensure the Hotel is notified prior to travel
GRATUITIES:
As a guideline and dependent on how happy you are, we would suggest the following:
The General Hotel/Lodge/Camp Staff – Approximately U$ 10.00 per person per day
Driver Guides – Approximately US$ 15.00 to US$ 20.00 per person per day
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Please be careful when photographing public buildings, airports, bridges, the national flag and people in uniform. Ensure that you have sought permission before photographing local people and their villages. If in doubt, please check with your guide.
