Namugongo, on the outskirts of Kampala, is Uganda’s most significant site of religious pilgrimage, marking the place where a group of young Christian converts were executed in 1886 on the orders of King Mwanga II of Buganda for refusing to renounce their faith. Today two shrines stand near the site, a Catholic basilica and an Anglican shrine, and together they draw pilgrims from across Uganda and neighbouring countries.
The site at a glance
- Located at Namugongo, on the eastern outskirts of Kampala
- Site of the execution of 32 young men, pages of King Mwanga II’s court, burned to death on 3 June 1886
- Twenty-two of the martyrs were canonised as Catholic saints by Pope Paul VI in 1964
- An annual pilgrimage on 3 June, a Ugandan public holiday, has drawn crowds estimated at up to 2 million people
A history of faith and persecution
Between 1885 and 1887, King Mwanga II ordered the execution of Christian converts in his court who refused to abandon their new faith, a persecution that documentation records claimed at least 45 lives, with many historians believing the true number was higher. The most significant single event came on 3 June 1886, when 32 young men and pages of the royal court, both Catholic and Anglican, were burned to death at Namugongo, an act of faith and defiance that has since made the site central to Christianity in Uganda.
Two shrines, one history
The Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs, a large Catholic shrine, marks the site where the Catholic martyrs, including Saint Charles Lwanga, were executed, while an Anglican shrine stands about two miles to the east, commemorating the Anglican victims of the same persecution. Visitors can view exhibits and memorials at both sites, and the annual pilgrimage each June 3 brings the shrines to life with crowds, processions and services drawing pilgrims from across East Africa.
Things to do
- Visiting the Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs and its surrounding grounds
- Touring the Anglican shrine and museum a short distance away
- Learning about the history of the Uganda Martyrs and their canonisation
- Visiting during the 3 June pilgrimage for a rare view of the shrine at its busiest
Practical information
- Located about 15 km northeast of central Kampala, easily reached by road
- Modest, respectful dress is appropriate given the site’s religious significance
- The 3 June pilgrimage draws very large crowds; visitors preferring a quieter visit should choose another date
Namugongo offers a moving look at one of the defining moments in Uganda’s religious history. Offmap Safaris can add a visit to your Kampala city itinerary. To start planning, visit Plan My African Safari, message us on WhatsApp at +256 701 243 304, or email [email protected]. See also our notes on health and safety and responsible travel.
