Ahead of the Martyrs’ Day celebrations on 3rd June, Traffic Police issued guidelines to regulate the flow of traffic to and from Namugongo. Police announced cut off points where private vehicles and taxis will not be allowed. “Naalya roundabout will be affected, Kireka trading center will be affected, and Kira Town Council roundabout will be affected.” Said, Norman Musinga – Commander, Kampala Metropolitan Traffic Police. Kampala Metropolitan Traffic Police Commander Norman Musinga said that there will be no parking space for the general public at both the Catholic and Anglican Shrines. Only VIPs with special stickers will have access to the parking space. Pilgrims using the northern route via Kasangati have been allocated Kira Town Council playground and the Mayor’s garden to park their cars. “Pilgrims from Northern Bypass from areas of Ntinda, Hoima road and Bwaise will park at Hill Side Nursery and Primary School.”

Meanwhile, Muslims are also finalizing preparations for Martyrs’ Day celebrations at the Masjid Noor Shuhada’U Mosque which sits adjacent to the Anglican Shrine in commemoration of the Muslim martyrs. Unlike the Catholic and Anglican faiths, the Muslims will celebrate the day on Friday 1st June. “The body that unifies all the Muslims of Uganda was established on 1st June 1972. So on that day, we come here and go through the history of the establishment of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, the history of Muslim martyrs in Uganda.” Said, Hajji Sulaiman Kawanguzi – Coordinator of Muslim Martyrs. Hajji Sulaiman Kawanguzi the Coordinator of Muslim martyrs in Uganda said Islam was the pioneer religion in Uganda and was embraced by Kabaka Mutesa I. However, the followers conflicted with the Kabaka which led to their massacre. “Now, when they came, they started calling him by annoying words. One; calling him a pagan….” Said, Hajji Sulaiman Kawanguzi – Coordinator of Muslim Martyrs.

According to Hajji Sulaiman, the Muslim section had not yet developed the site to the level of Catholic and Anglican sites. “It is now our humble appeal that government of Uganda will also join the Muslims to make sure that this place is also developed to the international standards.” Preparations for the day by other religious sectors are also in advanced stages.