Namugongo Shrine

The Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine Namugongo is one of the largest Christian pilgrimage destinations in Africa dedicated to the 22 Martyrs and Saints of Uganda who were martyred between 1885 by the king of Buganda Kabaka Mwanga II.

The Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs is a Roman Catholic minor basilica dedicated to the Ugandan Martyrs. The basilica is located at Namugongo, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, in Central Uganda. Namugongo is located approximately 14 kilometres by road, northeast of the central business district of Kampala, Uganda’s capital and largest city in that East African country.

The Namugongo Shrines were first recognized by the Late Joshua Serufusa – Zake (1884 – 25 June 1985) when he was the Sabaddu of Kira Sub – County (1827 – 1928). Joshua Serufusa – Zake constructed a structure at the Namugongo site, where it appears shrines were built later for prayer. His interest in Christianity was enhanced by his father’s participation in the wars that brought Christianity to Uganda.

Joshua Serufusa – Zake father, Semei Musoke Seruma Katiginya had earned a name for brevity ‘Ngubu’ from the wars. It might be of interest to note that Joshua Serufusa – Zake was born in 1884, just a year before the killings of Uganda Martyrs started.