The Uganda–South Africa Martyrs Day Celebration held for the first time at the Our Mother of Mercy Shrine in Magaliesburg is a manifestation of “Sainthood” says the former Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium and Luxembourg.

Archbishop Augustine Kasujja said he “really loved the celebration because it manifests what sainthood is.” A Saint he said, “is universal” as a saint “belongs not only to the country of origin but belongs to the whole Catholic Church.”

In a conversation with the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) communication office, the first African to serve as Papal Nuncio thanked Archbishop Buti Joseph Tlhagale OMI for the invitation to join the Catholic community in South Africa in celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of the canonization of the Uganda Martyrs.

Toward the end of the liturgical celebration, the Ugandan Archbishop presented Archbishop Tlhagale OMI with the relics of Saint Charles Lwanga and Saint Mattias Mulumba and a portrait of the Uganda Martyrs.

Asked about the Synodal journey in Uganda, the 78-year-old Prelate said, “All the baptized have to work together,” in proclaiming the gospel, that the call for co-responsibility applies to all the baptized.

Religious institutions play a key role in promoting unity

Religious institutions play a key role in promoting “unity and development” says the Ambassador of Uganda to Southern Africa.

For Ambassador Paul Amoru the Uganda-South Africa Martyrs Day Celebration has “turned a new page in the relations between the Republic of Uganda and the Republic of South Africa.”

“To champion unity and development, we religious institutions have a very key role to play,” said Ambassador Amoru and assured his support in promoting the annual celebration.

Ambassador Amoru also thanked Archbishop Tlhagale OMI for declaring the Marian Shrine in Magaliesburg as the official place of worship for the annual Uganda-South Africa Martyrs Day Celebration.

“We are very grateful to the Archdiocese of Johannesburg for giving us a home, now we have a home, and every year people will be coming here to renew their faith,” he said.

The Uganda-South Africa Martyrs Day Celebration also saw the participation of Archbishop Zolile Peter Mpambani SCI of Bloemfontein Archdiocese, Bishop Victor Hlolo Phalana of Klerksdorp Diocese, Bishop Duncan Theodore Tsoke of Kimberley Diocese and Ugandan born Bishop Joseph Mary Kizito of Aliwal Diocese.