🇺🇬 EYE FAITH | KALIRO DISTRICT
📍Bugonza Shrine | 04 July 2025
✍🏿 By Eye Media Reporter
The faithful from across Uganda are flocking to Bugonza Shrine in Kaliro District ahead of this year’s St. Gonzaga Gonza Day National Celebrations, scheduled for Saturday, July 6, 2025, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expected to lead as Chief Pilgrim.
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Fr. Gerald Mutto, the Chancellor of Jinja Diocese and Secretary to the Bishop, confirmed during a press briefing at St. Joseph Cathedral, Rubaga Parish, Jinja that preparations are in their final stages.
“This year marks 139 years since the martyrdom of St. Gonzaga Gonza. As Jinja Diocese, we are honoured to host these national celebrations at the saint’s birthplace,” Fr. Mutto said. “We are celebrating under the spiritual guidance of the late Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year theme: ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.”
The Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Obbo, Archbishop of Tororo Archdiocese, will preside over the solemn mass, starting at 9:00 AM sharp.
Fr. Mutto noted that the celebrations will also include prayers for the soul of Pope Francis and for the intentions of Pope Leo XIV. “We are not only pilgrims of the past but of the present and future. We entrust the Church’s mission to God’s mercy,” he added.
The celebrations, which attract tens of thousands of Christians annually, are being organised by Jinja Diocese with strong logistical and mobilization support from State House, spearheaded by Hajji Faruk Kirunda, Special Presidential Assistant for Press and Mobilization.
“We thank the Organising Committee and all stakeholders — from parish councils to government teams — for their unwavering commitment,” Fr. Mutto remarked.
He urged pilgrims, especially those traveling long distances, to consider spending the night at the shrine, assuring that tight security arrangements are already in place. Importantly, no COVID-19 testing will be required and the celebrations are free and open to the public.
✝️ Who Was St. Gonzaga Gonza?
Born around 1862 in Busoga, Gonzaga Gonza was abducted as a child and taken to Buganda, where he lived in Nkambo Buluusi’s home. His journey of faith saw him profess Islam, Protestantism, and finally embrace Catholicism, being baptized on 17th November 1885.
At just 24 years old, Gonzaga volunteered to suffer on behalf of a wrongfully accused friend. He was arrested, chained, and despite brutal wounds, chose to walk in chains to Namugongo. Exhausted, he collapsed en route and was speared to death on May 27, 1886, by Mukajanga’s men.
Today, St. Gonzaga Gonza is venerated as the Patron of prisoners, the persecuted, travellers, and the suffering.
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🕊️ St. Gonzaga Gonza, pray for us.
