AFRICA/UGANDA - Crowds attend the festival for Ugandan Martyrs

Kampala (Agenzia Fides) – According to the local Church, the festivities held in honor of the Ugandan Martyrs (celebrated June 3) 1.2 million pilgrims, including many from Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United States, and other countries. Last year, they were 805,000.
The Ugandan Martyrs were a group of 22 servants, pages, and civil officials of the king of Buganda (now Uganda), who converted to Catholicism through the White Fathers (missionaries). These 22 people were killed for being Christians during the reign of Mwanga II (1884-1903) between November 15, 1885 and January 27, 1887.
Pope Benedict XV beatified them on June 6, 1920 and they were canonized October 8, 1964 by Pope Paul VI. In his visit to Africa in 1969, he also dedicated the great shrine at Namugongo in their honor, which is erected on the site of the martyrdom of Saint Charles Lwanga, the best known of the group, and his companions. This group was the first case of Catholic faithful in sub-Saharan Africa to be proclaimed saints. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 05/06/2008)