Retired Justice James Ogoola Implores Faithful To Embrace Martyrdom
Arans
Retired Principal Judge, Canon. James Ogoola has asked the faithful in the Church of Uganda to consider martyrdom as a seed of the church during the forthcoming Martyrs Day celebrations on 3rd June 2023.
Justice Ogoola, who also serves on the COMESA Court of Justice in Lusaka, Zambia, is a member of the Organising Committee of the Eastern cluster dioceses that will lead the preparations and the service during the Martyrs Day celebrations at Namugongo Anglican site.
Arans Tabaruka engaged Justice Ogoola on the essence of the celebrations of martyrdom and the unique package to expect from the organizers.
In 1884, history reckons that Kabaka Mwanga viewed the missionaries as a major threat to his Kingdom.
He therefore mooted plans to expel the missionaries and threatened converts to renounce their new faith or face execution, this precisely is what turned into a fortune of faith known as Martyrs.
130 years ago, the day globally commemorates the 45 martyrs, both Catholic and Anglican, who were killed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, then King of Buganda between 1885 and 1887.
But what is unique about the celebration of martyrdom to the growth of faith in Uganda.
According to Justice James Ogoola who serves as part of the organizing committee (publicity and diaspora), this year’s celebration, as is the norm, a section of dioceses of the church of Uganda in the eastern cluster lead the celebrations.
This fundamental responsibility was appointed by the House of bishops for the dioceses of the eastern cluster to animate the celebrations at the Anglican Martyrs' site in Namugongo, headed Rt. Rev. Samuel Egesa.
Martyrs’ Day will be celebrated under the theme “United for Sustainable Service and Growth” to elaborate on the impact the celebrations have on deepening faith.
On the significance, of the just concluded GAFCON conference in Kigali, Hon. Rtd. Justice James noted its timeliness.
Martyrs Day celebrations serve as a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.
