Uganda Martyr's Day

Reflections on Faith & Opportunity
by Dan Dwire

Every year on June 3, Uganda commemorates Uganda Martyrs’ Day, honoring 13 Anglican and 12 Catholic martyrs who were killed in 1886. This event is more than a day on the calendar; it draws around four million visitors to the Namugongo community in Kira, Uganda. For some, it is an opportunity to socialize and enjoy the food and retail products offered by vendors near the Catholic Martyrs’ Shrine and Anglican Martyrs’ Museum. For others, it is a time for personal reflection on the persecution the martyrs endured. Unfortunately, for many visitors it is a time to seek temporal benefits promised by their religion.

A common phrase seen on t-shirts, hats, and other merchandise is “Martyrs, Pray For Us,” often accompanied by artwork depicting the fire in which the martyrs were burned. Each year, testimonies emerge of people who have walked for days and weeks—from across Uganda or even from Kenya, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—demonstrating their faith in the Martyrs’ prayers to fulfill their requests. They express much greater faith in the martyrs who are dead than in Christ Who rose again.

At the natural spring where the executioners washed the martyrs’ blood from their weapons, hopeful pilgrims line up by the hundreds and wait with gallon jugs to collect “holy water” blessed by a priest. They believe this water grants special favor and blessings when used for bathing, brushing teeth, or sprinkling on a house, business, or garden.

While the pervasive grip of religion and its empty promises can be disheartening, the annual event provides a remarkable opportunity for Faith Baptist Church of Namugongo. Located about three miles outside the capital city limits, the main Martyrs’ Day event grounds are only a half-mile from our church. Despite travel disruptions caused by road closures for several days leading up to the festivities on June 3, many visitors walk right past our church building.

Each year we distribute Gospel tracts to willing recipients. When people ask what we are distributing and are told “Scripture” or “The Word of God,” some decline the tracts because they feel they do not need Scripture. Although people in Uganda tend to be more receptive to tracts than those in the West, many Martyrs’ Day pilgrims remain focused on receiving the blessings promised by their religion rather than welcoming the Word of God.

Some will blindly accept the tracts at first and then toss them aside upon realizing they are about Jesus and eternal life. However, we also witness others picking up discarded tracts and reading them. Truly, seeds can fall on good ground or the wayside, but God can reuse seeds that are thrown down! As in 2024, this year we are blessed to have tracts not only in English but also in 18 African languages spoken in Uganda and neighboring countries. And when we offer tracts in a local language, people wait patiently for us to find the one needed. Notably, we almost never see a local-language tract discarded on the ground. Sometimes the crowds move past us too quickly for conversation but some are willing to talk, and some accept Christ as Savior!

Despite the challenges posed by traffic, schedule, and weather, over 20,000 tracts are placed into the hands of East Africans each year. Some will fall by the wayside but others will find good ground and bring forth fruit. Please pray for Faith Baptist Church of Namugongo as we minister June 1–3 each year to the Martyrs’ Day pilgrims that God’s Word will bring hearing that leads to faith!

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