Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere of the Kampala Archdiocese has called for peace and unity ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections. His appeal came during the Martyrs Day celebrations held at the Namugongo Catholic Shrine.
The Uganda Martyrs were a group of 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican converts to Christianity who were executed between 31 January 1885 and 27 January 1887 for their faith.
Speaking at the shrine, Archbishop Ssemogerere reminded the nation of the pain and political tension from past elections.
“Uganda is approaching general elections next year. We must remember the wounds of our political past the pain, the fear, the silence of the oppressed. We must not repeat those mistakes.”he said.
He called for a political environment where competition does not breed enmity, where elections are not a source of unrest, and where leadership is defined not by power, but by service.
“The Uganda Martyrs speak through silence more powerfully than grand speeches. They speak through wounds more eloquently than words. They remind us that faith is not about comfort, but conviction,” the archbishop said.
He emphasized that many of the martyrs were young some even teenagers who boldly stood before the king and declared their decision to follow Jesus.
“In a world that tempts us to compromise, the martyrs teach us clarity. In an age of tribalism and sectarian politics, they remind us that unity in Christ is stronger than any ethnic bond,” he added.
Quoting from Galatians 3, he said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female for we are all one in Christ. Let us reject hatred, division, and violence. Let us also renounce tribalism and the use of divisive language.”
He concluded with a strong message on the role of democracy in nation-building; “Our democracy must heal, not harm. It must unite, not divide. We must learn to listen, not to silence one another.”
