Message from the Chairman

Acknowledgement by the Rt.Rev. Jackson Matovu, Chairman of the Uganda Martyrs Museum Namugongo, development committee

Greeting from the Uganda Martyrs’ Museum, Namugongo, Church of Uganda Development Committee.

I thank the Almighty God for the blessing to Serve him towards the Development of the Uganda Martyrs Museum Namugongo Projects. The Church of Uganda in 2013 under the auspicious leadership of the Late Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Dr. Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo started the redevelopment of the Uganda Martyrs’ Museum, Namugongo Project with a vision of turning it into a World Class Faith and Pilgrimage based tourist site.

This site started as an Execution site by Kabaka Kyabaggu in 1760 to handle all those who wronged his throne from all the 20 counties of Buganda at that time. Those arrested and could not walk, had their legs tied with ropes and dragged on their backs getting to the Execution site bleeding or dead.The Martyrs Museum Core Site houses the Very Execution Area of the 25 Converts who were Martyred on the 3rd June, 1886 on orders of Kabaka Mwanga and also the First Church where their remains (bones & Ashes) were Buried in 1935.

The Development Project was defined into Two Phases (1 & 2).The Martyrs Museum Core Site houses the Very Execution Area of the 25 Converts who were Martyred on the 3rd June, 1886 on orders of Kabaka Mwanga and also the First Church where their remains (bones & Ashes) were Buried in 1935. The Development Project was defined into Two Phases (1 & 2).

PHASE 1

Phase1 commenced in 2014 with a total cost of 9.5Bn and a completion date of 2016. Overall progress of physical works stands at 90%. The outputs under Phase 1 Include; The Martyr’s Museum Core Site Structure, Boundary Wall with main Entrance, 2 Public Toilets, Drainage and Culverts, Martyrs’ Spring Well, and Construction and Relocation of the CoU Namugongo Primary School.

We received tremendous support from locally organized Church fundraisings, Individuals, Organizations, the Government of Uganda and His Excellency Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda as a person. We are very grateful for all the support.

Benefits that have been realized under Phase 1

Though the redevelopment of Uganda Martyrs’ Namugongo is still in its infancy stages, some potential benefits have been realized from the developments. These include;

1. Increase in number of tourists both local and international. Currently the facility is handling up to four million people per annum
2. Increased collaboration between the Government of Uganda and Church of Uganda which has resulted in dissemination of government programs to the community through the church.
3. Transformation of the surrounding communities due to Phase I developments.
4. Establishment of the first Martyrs’/faith-based museum in Africa. This is a first-class facility meeting both local and international standards.

PHASE II

Phase II development plan for the site focuses on the following components; The 3rd June Worship Centre / Amphitheatre with a Parish Community Church, A6 floored Martyrs’ Museum Tower, 200 rooms Museum Hotel, Children’s Leisure and Recreation Centre.

Objectives

1. To evangelize the pilgrims in retrospect to the Christian faith and sacrifice of the 25 Martyrs’.
2. To train the clergy and lay Christians in evangelism and Christian community service.
3. To establish an income generating components that will support activities and projects of the dioceses that include; health, education, clergy pension fund, housing for the clergy, clergy benevolence fund (monthly, annual, emergency & gratuity) and clergy medical insurance.
4. Establish revenue generating and self-sustaining component/structures that will reduce dependency on well-wishers and government for funding of provincial activities and projects.
5. Establish a culture preserving centre that allows the community to look at their history, and cultural heritage and develop their own community identity, maintain their traditions and culture, while also showcasing it for all the visitors.
6. Establish a tourism centre that will contribute to the national GDP by creating employment; both skilled and unskilled, generating other income streams for the hosting community and the national economy.
7. To enhance, maintain, improve and modernize the works accomplished in phase I.

I am thankful to all the development Committee Members for giving me the opportunity to work with them. I appreciate their advice and guidance, which has enabled the work to progress to this stage.

As we prepare to Fundraise for the PHASE II, we call upon more cooperation from all stakeholders to enable us get generous contributions from all members of the public so that this great work of God is achieved and His name is glorified.

Bishop Emeritus Jackson Matovu- CBD

Chairman. Uganda Martyrs’ Museum, Namugongo