allafrica.com
@allafrica Fri, 25 Oct 2024 06:27:59
Museveni Says Kiswahili Can Easily Become a Powerful International Language
[Nile Post] President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the people of East Africa and Africa at large to use their similarity and promote Kiswahili as a powerful tool for economic integration and unifying the continent.
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@sqoop Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:45:18
Acidic Vokoz: Busoga’s latest export
How would you describe Acidic Vocals? Acidic Vocals is a Ugandan artiste born in 2000. I am from Busoga, studied at Namunyumya Mixed Primary School (St Mulumba) before joining Town Side Secondary School but I dropped out in Senior Five. What did you do after dropping out? I went to Namutumba where I started music […] The post Acidic Vokoz: Busoga’s latest export first appeared on Sqoop - Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos.
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@sqoop Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:54:23
Kikalayi, pig ears, and life’s simple joy
I was going through doomsday scrolling on X when I landed on that story. The story was about mates who had met for a pint every Thursday for the last 56 years. I was incensed. Not that I hated those mates. But I had witnessed and been part of these kind of stories. It was […] The post Kikalayi, pig ears, and life’s simple joy first appeared on Sqoop - Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos.
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@sqoop Fri, 25 Oct 2024 10:04:48
How to rock the wide-shoulder fashion trend
A lot of the time, when we dress up, especially for an event or elaborate celebration, we want to get noticed, or at least acknowledged by those that see us. However, you may find that you will need to go the extra mile with the details and additions of your ensemble. And that is where […] The post How to rock the wide-shoulder fashion trend first appeared on Sqoop - Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos.
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@kfm Fri, 25 Oct 2024 07:25:37
King Charles acknowledges Commonwealth’s ‘painful’ history with slavery on summit agenda
BY REUTERS Britain’s King Charles said on Friday the Commonwealth should acknowledge its “painful” history, as African and Caribbean nations continue to advocate for reparations for the country’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. Representatives of 56 countries, most with roots in Britain’s empire, are attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that began in Samoa on Monday, with slavery and the threat of climate change emerging as major themes. “I understand from listening to people across the Commonwealth how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate,” Charles said in a speech to the summit. “It is vital, therefore, that we understand our history, to guide us towards making the right choices in future.” The demand […] The post King Charles acknowledges Commonwealth’s ‘painful’ history with slavery on summit agenda first appeared on 93.3 KFM.
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@kfm Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:40:25
Former LRA commander Kwoyelo awaits sentence
Thomas Kwoyelo, a former commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), is scheduled to receive his sentence on October 25, 2024, at the High Court in Gulu. The International Crimes Division of the High Court, sitting in northern Uganda, convicted him on 41 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Kwoyelo was found guilty of offenses including murder, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, attempted murder, and violations of the Penal Code Act. These charges stem from his involvement in the LRA’s 20-year insurgency in northern Uganda, led by Joseph Kony, from 1992 to 2005. The judges presiding over the case are Michael Elubu, Stephen Mubiru, Duncan Gaswaga, and Andrew Bashaija. Kwoyelo was convicted of breaching the Fourth Geneva Convention and committing […] The post Former LRA commander Kwoyelo awaits sentence first appeared on 93.3 KFM.
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@kfm Fri, 25 Oct 2024 12:53:47
Prosecution introduces new witness in Besigye, Mukaaku case
The Incitement to Violence case against opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and activist Samuel Lubega Mukaaku has his a snag after the prosecution unexpectedly abandoned its previously presented evidence and introduced a new witness and state attorney, a move that the defense strongly objects to. According to the accused’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, the state’s actions appear to be a deliberate attempt to delay the trial and deny the defendants their constitutional rights to a fair hearing and speedy trial. The new senior state attorney, Allan Mucunguzi, reportedly intends to restart the case from scratch, claiming that the evidence presented by his predecessor, Ivan Kyazze, was insufficient. During Friday’s proceedings before Buganda Road Court Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya, Lukwago raised […] The post Prosecution introduces new witness in Besigye, Mukaaku case first appeared on 93.3 KFM.
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@matookerepublic Thu, 24 Oct 2024 18:21:18
Equity Bank’s MD Anthony Kituuka heads to Dubai for key customer engagements
Equity Bank’s Managing Director, Anthony Kituuka, is set to embark on a special visit to Dubai, reflecting the bank’s ongoing commitment to its global clientele. The visit follows several weeks of tailored service by Equity Bank staff in Dubai, aimed at strengthening ties with Ugandan expatriates and the broader customer base in the UAE. Kituuka […] The post Equity Bank’s MD Anthony Kituuka heads to Dubai for key customer engagements first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@matookerepublic Fri, 25 Oct 2024 06:26:44
Uganda Cranes nominated for 2024 CAF National Team of the Year
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially nominated the Uganda Cranes for the prestigious 2024 CAF National Team of the Year Award, recognizing their good performances in recent competitions. This announcement was made public via a post by CAF on Thursday through X (formerly Twitter). The Uganda Cranes will be competing against other top-performing […] The post Uganda Cranes nominated for 2024 CAF National Team of the Year first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@matookerepublic Fri, 25 Oct 2024 06:47:59
Uganda Breweries joins other partners in cleaning up Portbell landing site
To address the unrelenting sanitation needs at the Portbell Landing site in Luzira Uganda Breweries Limited has embarked on a cleaning exercise together with other partners; Rotaract Club of Luzira, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and others to restore the cleanliness at the landing site at an event where […] The post Uganda Breweries joins other partners in cleaning up Portbell landing site first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@matookerepublic Fri, 25 Oct 2024 07:01:00
Spotify releases RADAR documentary for Joshua Baraka
Singer-songwriter and producer Joshua Baraka, a rising Spotify RADAR Africa artist, is set to captivate global audiences with the release of his latest single, “Lonely,” alongside an intimate documentary. This upcoming phase marks a pivotal moment in Joshua’s career as he prepares to solidify his place on the international stage. The documentary offers a rare […] The post Spotify releases RADAR documentary for Joshua Baraka first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@matookerepublic Fri, 25 Oct 2024 07:16:57
“Why do you fear people becoming rich?” MP Ssewungu asks government as section of legislators reject its proposal to abolish the Uganda Coffee Development Authority
Members of Parliament (MPs) from coffee-growing areas have rejected the proposal to abolish the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and transfer its functions to the Ministry of Agriculture. They argue that such a move would cause coffee to suffer the same fate as vanilla and tea, which have declined under the Ministry of Agriculture’s oversight. […] The post “Why do you fear people becoming rich?” MP Ssewungu asks government as section of legislators reject its proposal to abolish the Uganda Coffee Development Authority first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@matookerepublic Fri, 25 Oct 2024 08:09:49
Kabira Country Club Announces Unmissable End-of-Year Party Packages
As the year winds down, Kabira Country Club is setting the stage for unforgettable End-of-Year celebrations with a variety of exceptional offers tailored for corporate groups. Designed to celebrate the accomplishments of the year, these packages provide an unbeatable blend of affordability, convenience, and luxury. For cocktail enthusiasts, Kabira’s cocktail party package offers an incredible […] The post Kabira Country Club Announces Unmissable End-of-Year Party Packages first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@matookerepublic Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:05:07
Fresh Kid lauded for his maturity as he shares his journey at Kampala Parents and readiness for PLE exams
Young rapper Fresh Kid, whose real name is Patrick Ssenyonjo, is being praised for his mature responses during an interview, with many lauding Kampala Parents Primary School for nurturing him exceptionally well. In an interview on Sanyuka TV, Fresh Kid sounded very eloquent as he shared his journey at Kampala Parents and his readiness for […] The post Fresh Kid lauded for his maturity as he shares his journey at Kampala Parents and readiness for PLE exams first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@matookerepublic Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:13:57
The Road to London is Open for All Football Fans Across the Country
Guinness, the official beer sponsor of the Premier League, is taking matchdays to a whole new level, adding an extra layer of excitement for football fans around the world with its signature touch of Guinness magic at every game. Here in Uganda, lucky football fans now have a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to […] The post The Road to London is Open for All Football Fans Across the Country first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@matookerepublic Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:55:23
Daycation Brunch returns for 4th edition at Silo15 this Sunday
Kampala’s most anticipated Sunday brunch, The Daycation Brunch, returns this Sunday, October 27th, for its 4th edition, at Silo 15 in Bugolobi and it promises to be an unforgettable experience. The monthly event has over the past three editions grown into the go-to spot for friends looking to enjoy great food, fantastic music, and of […] The post Daycation Brunch returns for 4th edition at Silo15 this Sunday first appeared on Matooke Republic.
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@observer Wed, 23 Oct 2024 06:21:11
Ssemakadde’s executive order meant to provoke attorney general
On October 14, Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde, the president of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), issued an executive order expelling Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka and Solicitor General Pius Perry Biribonwoha, along with their representatives, from the ULS Council. Ssemakadde argued that the ex-officio positions held by the Attorney General and Solicitor General on the ULS Council were outdated and conflicted with the autonomy of the Radical New Bar. Ssemakadde referenced the Prof Frederick Ssempebwa ULS Report (2012), which had recommended the removal of these positions. He emphasized that Kiryowa Kiwanuka’s ex-officio role on the ULS Council was “manifestly untenable” and accused him of failing to resign from private legal practice while continuing to conduct business with the Government of Uganda through his law firm and select private advocates. Ssemakadde claimed that this represented a conflict of interest and abuse of office, resulting in the loss of Shs 28.8 billion related to compensation for claimants of land acquired for the Namanve-Luzira 132kV transmission line project. Ssemakadde also accused Kiwanuka of mis-advising the cabinet and other government agencies, undermining judicial independence. He cited cases in which the attorney general allegedly provided advice that allowed the government to arbitrarily overturn court awards through cabinet decisions, issuing ex-gratia payments instead of honouring court judgments. He pointed to claims related to war compensation for the West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions as examples of this interference. Furthermore, Ssemakadde alleged that Kiwanuka interfered in the appointment processes of the Judicial Service Commission and the Law Development Centre, eroding public trust in these institutions. He also criticised Kiwanuka for imposing a fee to access Ugandan laws digitally, calling it an unconstitutional barrier to justice. In his statement, Ssemakadde accused the attorney general of condoning torture, subverting bail, and allowing civilians to be tried in military tribunals—actions that contradict Uganda’s commitments under international human rights law. He claimed that Kiwanuka threatened to amend the law to prevent courts from dismissing cases where suspects had been tortured in custody. With the executive order, Ssemakadde declared that Kiryowa Kiwanuka no longer held authority as the head of the bar, though he would remain a member of the Uganda Law Society. REACTION TO THE EXECUTIVE ORDER George Musisi, a human rights lawyer, characterized the executive order issued by Ssemakadde as a protest statement. He explained that sometimes actions are taken outside the strict confines of the law when the odds are heavily against you. Musisi likened the move to when the National Unity Platform (NUP) attempted to remove Commissioner Mathias Mpuuga, despite knowing the formal procedures. “It was a way of disowning him,” Musisi noted. He emphasized that while the Attorney General is a member of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) by law, any changes to this arrangement would require an amendment to that law. Musisi acknowledged that Ssemakadde likely understands this, but suggested that the ULS president is deliberately choosing an unconventional route to spark debate and provoke a reaction. “This executive order is a protest aimed at raising the question: Do we still need a government officer as part of the ULS council when the bar association should be independent? That’s the real issue at hand,” Musisi said. Musisi further explained that the Attorney general’s inclusion on the ULS council is rooted in legislation passed many years ago. He suggested that the bar association would lose nothing by removing the attorney general from the council. “The ULS is meant to guide and keep the government in check on matters related to the rule of law. Its independence would not be compromised if the attorney general were no longer part of the council,” Musisi stated. Peter Walubiri, a senior counsel and political analyst, pointed out that this issue is part of a longstanding problem. He noted that the legislation governing the Uganda Law Society should be in line with the ideals of an independent bar that advises and critiques the government. Walubiri recalled instances where the attorney general, who is a member of the ULS council, filed lawsuits against his own council to prevent certain meetings, highlighting the conflict between his role as a cabinet minister and his responsibility to uphold the independence of the bar. “The executive order issued by the president of the ULS should be viewed in the context of the ongoing struggle for the bar’s independence in Uganda,” Walubiri said. Ndebesa, a lecturer at Makerere University, noted that Kiwanuka’s active role in decampaigning Ssemakadde has now resulted in the current standoff. “If you openly decampaign someone, what do you expect them to do in return? This has become a political issue between the two individuals and their supporters,” he added. geofreyserugo1992@gmail.com {loadposition inarticle}
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@observer Wed, 23 Oct 2024 06:28:21
Frustrated arts teachers show up in class but only pretend to teach
Two years ago, the Ugandan government rolled out a significant salary enhancement for science teachers, leaving their counterparts in the arts feeling sidelined and frustrated. In response to a presidential directive last year, the salary structure was further adjusted to include science-based head teachers and their deputies in secondary schools, who had initially been omitted. The pay rise was part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen the teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in schools. However, during the belated Teachers’ Day celebrations on October 19, 2024, at Lugogo Cricket Oval, the frustrations of arts teachers resurfaced. Globally, World Teachers’ Day is observed on October 5, but Uganda marked the occasion later, bringing together seven teachers’ unions and students. At the event, President Museveni emphasized the government’s focus on maintaining economic stability and prioritizing sectors such as science, which are considered vital for national development. He emphasized that arts teachers would need to remain patient until the economy could support their salary enhancement. “When I directed that we start with scientists, I did so as a social scientist and a literature man myself. Our intention is clear, and we don’t need to waste time on this issue again. The economy is growing fast, and inflation is low. The target is to pay all public servants well but also increase their numbers,” Museveni said. He further explained that while more teachers are needed, the government can- not hire them due to limited resources. “If we all worked together instead of being argumentative... We need to prioritize resources in the context of scarcity,” he added. Using Luganda proverbs to illustrate his point, Museveni said, “Kamu kamu, gwe muganda (One by one makes a bundle) and Akwata empola, atuuka wala (Patience pains, but it pays).” While these words brought cheers from the science teachers present, many arts teachers in attendance were left grumbling. Despite repeated assurances from the government that their salary enhancement would eventually come, arts teachers remain concerned that the wait could be prolonged, given the ongoing economic challenges. In an interview with The Observer on the sidelines of the Teachers’ day celebrations, Francis Mutesasira, general secretary of the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers’ Union (UPHTU), expressed deep frustration over the government’s ongoing delays in enhancing the salaries of arts teachers. “It is unfortunate that the phased salary enhancement the president has been talking about is long overdue. We urge the government to secure resources and raise arts teachers’ pay. Currently, we have a situation where teaching and learning in schools is pretentious, and the ultimate losers are the learners and the country at large,” Mutesasira said. He noted that arts teachers are disheartened and demotivated. “They go to classes to pass time, and are not as active as expected. The bodies are in classrooms, but their hearts and minds are elsewhere. The phased salary enhancement has become a song we hear every Teachers’ day. We are tired of these unfulfilled promises.” Under the government’s recent salary enhancement for science teachers, graduate science teachers saw their pay rise from Shs 1.2m to Shs 4m, while those with diplomas had their salaries increased from Shs 930,000 to Shs 2.2m. Head teachers and their deputies with science backgrounds leading Primary Teachers Colleges (PTCs), National Teachers Colleges (NTCs), and BTVET institutions saw their salaries enhanced to Shs 6.5m and Shs 4.5m respectively. In comparison, the highest-paid arts teacher on scale U3 earns Shs 1.3m, while those on scale U5 receive Shs 784,214. Meanwhile, as part of his pledge to support private teachers, President Museveni recently signed a dummy cheque of Shs 20bn, to be shared among three teachers’ Saccos: the Uganda Professional Science Teachers’ Union (UPSTU) Sacco, the Uganda Private Teachers’ Labour Union Sacco, and the Uganda Liberal Teachers Union Member Sacco. Aron Mugaiga, general secretary of UPSTU, welcomed the new funding, stating that it will help teachers who have been exploited by moneylenders and commercial banks. “The meager resources teachers earn were being taken at high interest rates. For arts teachers, we stand with them and believe that the government will address their needs soon,” Mugaiga said, urging science teachers to remain committed to their jobs and avoid part-timing at multiple schools. TEACHING PROFESSION IN CRISIS Education development partners (EDPs) urged the Ugandan government and the international community to prioritize teachers in shaping the future of education. Mamadou Lamine Sow, head of the Unesco East Africa Education Programme, delivered a speech on behalf of the EDPs, emphasizing that global education systems face unprecedented challenges that threaten the future of learning, including a shortage of qualified teachers, deteriorating working conditions, and a lack of trust in the profession. Sow referenced the first 2024 Unesco and Teacher Task Force Global Report on Teachers, which highlighted that the teach- ing profession is in crisis. He noted that declining social recognition, compounded by low pay, excessive workloads and inadequate resources, is driving talented individuals away from the profession. “The quality and accessibility of education are at risk for millions of students,” Sow added. The EDPs stressed the need for international cooperation to ensure teachers receive the respect, autonomy, and resources they deserve, as recommended by the UN secretary-general’s High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession. “BE NOBLE TEACHERS” Aligning with this year’s World Teachers’ Day theme, “Valuing Teachers’ Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education,” Uganda’s Education minister Janet Museveni reminded teachers of their im- mense influence on their learners’ lives. However, she pointed out that such positive influence only occurs when teachers uphold noble values. “One wonders why, in the past, teachers who earned less and were less academically qualified were held in such high regard by society,” Janet Museveni remarked. She explained that while policymakers can improve the external aspects of the profession, there are internal, moral issues that only teachers can address. She emphasized the problem of absenteeism, noting that some teachers either physically avoid the classroom or are disengaged during work hours. “If you are absent, you know it yourself, yet you still collect your pay at the end of the month. This is an issue of conscience that only the teacher can correct,” she said. {loadposition inarticle}
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@observer Wed, 23 Oct 2024 11:32:28
WiPolo Martyrs Shrines enhance northern Uganda tourism portfolio
Every October 20, thousands of pilgrims from Uganda and as far as Kenya, Rwanda and South Sudan flock to WiPolo Martyrs Shrine in Agago district to celebrate the Catholic martyrs, Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa, and last Sunday was not any different. WiPolo means heaven in Acholi, and since the two catechists were promising the local people to go to heaven when they died, the place of their martyrdom to date bears the name WiPolo. The shrines are remotely located in Agago’s Paimol sub-county with the journey taking you through a bumpy murram road for about two hours from Kitgum, the nearest large town. When you finally get to the shrines, you are welcomed by two arches; one below the other at the entrance with a cross visible from afar. The arch on top represents Okello, who was the older youth killed at 17 years old and the one below represents Irwa who was only 14 when he was killed. Okello’s arch being on top and Irwa’s below represents the support and protection the former offered to the latter. The architecture at the shrines which consists of the two arches, a mausoleum and altar were designed by Italian architect Giuseppe Nicora, who designed the shrines according to the tradition of the Universal Church and in respect of the local style, traditions and natural environment. The mausoleum housing the tomb of Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa The general outlook includes only a few buildings, giving room to the natural green environment in which the structures are inserted. The heart of the shrine consists of an open structure with only concrete steps for sitting on, which can accommodate at least 20,000 pilgrims. It faces the presbytery with the altar used during the celebrations every October 20. The altar is positioned opposite of the church thus creating a dialogue between the celebrants and the place of martyrdom. The church was built in 2004 at the request of the local population as a memory of the martyrdom of the place. It is under Kalongo parish but the caretakers here hope that it can be turned into a parish by the Gulu diocese in the near future. The church, which has a seating capacity of 300 people, is currently being run by two priests led by Father Joseph Okumu, and two nuns. MARTYRDOM During a recent visit to the shrines, James Ojok, a seminarian at the shrines told journalists that in 1917, the two catechists Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa were sent to Paimol from Kitgum mission by Father Cesare Gambaretto, a Comboni Missionary Father, to replace catechist Antonio who had died from a mysterious illness. While at Paimol, Okello and Irwa found a rock under a Bito tree where they would sit and teach young boys and girls Christianity. This rock was also used as a church for prayers. The tree and rock still exist to date, with markings of the mancala game (omweso), which they used to play during their free time still visible in the rocks. However, it was a politically delicate moment in Paimol as there was a power struggle between the anointed chief of the village, Lakidi who had been deposed and imprisoned by the British, and a new chief Amet imposed by the British but not recognised by the people. After some months of detention of Lakidi in Kitgum, on his return to the village, he unleashed brutality on anyone who was associating with the White man and the two catechists found themselves victims of this situation and a plan to kill them was hatched. “But before the killing happened, some sympathisers stealthily went to them to try and convince them to stop teachings of the new religion and urge them to escape from the village, which they refused,” Ojok narrated. On the fateful morning of October 18, 1918, Lakidi’s men led by his commandant Ogal Lowamoi dragged Okello from his hut and speared him to death while Irwa, being the youngest was given chance to denounce Christianity to spare his life, which he refused, saying: “If you have killed Daudi because he was teaching the new religion, then kill me too, for I too have been teaching it with him”. He was speared to death the following day. According to Ojok, Okello and Irwa’s bodies remained unburied as the tradition wanted, and it is only after a few days that they were dragged on to an anthill nearby. In 1926, Monsignor Vignato accompanied by Bala Donasiano went to Paimol and recovered what remained of their relics and moved them into the church in Kitgum. “Today when pilgrims visit the site, they collect soil from the exact place where these martyrs were killed and shed blood and take it home with a belief that it can cure several ailments and bring good luck. A pit has started growing at the spot due to the increasing number of people who collect soil from there,” said Ojok. The two martyrs were beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 20, 2002 at St Peter’s Square in Rome during the World Missionary day. This was after the pope had visited Uganda in 1993 and launched a hearty appeal to let no memory of the martyrs fall to oblivion. Near the spot where the teenagers were killed, a mausoleum which contains their grave has been constructed and next to their grave are rosaries and chits of prayer requests left behind by believers requesting for their divine intervention. However, their remains are not buried in this grave because of fear of being vandalised since there is no security at the shrine. The relics are being kept at the Gulu diocese cathedral. MAINTAINING THE SHRINES Since it is a vast area of about 22 acres, the caretakers face a challenge of maintaining the place and making sure it is attractive to visitors. Bosco Ojara, the secretary of Wipolo Martyrs Catholic church, said the offerings they get from the congregation are too little to make any impactful developments to the place and it is donors from countries such as Italy and Belgium who have contributed funds to develop the place and construct the current buildings and monuments. The altar used during the October 20 celebrations “As a church, we don’t have enough money to maintain the place even for simple tasks like slashing the bushes. Even though we get a big congregation of about 500 during Sunday mass, we only collect offertory of around Shs 10,000 because our people here give Shs 100 to Shs 200. If you are lucky and you find a note of Shs 5,000, you just know that person is a visitor, and not from within our locality,” Ojara said. However, in 2021 ahead of that year’s WiPolo Martyrs celebrations, President Yoweri Museveni donated Shs 100 million towards developing the shrines. This was used to set up modern washrooms and put up a water source, which not only serves the large number of pilgrims on October 20 but also the entire community of Paimol village. There has also been encroachment on the land where the shrine is seated by the locals and, therefore, the church is in plans of registering and getting a land title for it. Agago district and Paimol village border the Karamoja region which is known for hostile attacks on its neighbours. This, therefore, creates insecurity in the area, which leaves pilgrims often scared for their lives. However, Ojara says that the church has often coordinated with security agencies especially the army, who provide maximum security to the pilgrims during the days of the celebrations every October and also maintain a presence in the area during normal days. RELIGIOUS TOURISM Religious tourism is being looked at as one of the key aspects to diversifying Uganda’s tourism portfolio in addition to wildlife and adventure tourism. With an estimated hundred of thousands pilgrims flocking to the Uganda Martyrs shrines in Namugongo every June 3, there is no doubt that Uganda has a huge potential for religious tourism. According to the ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities development programme annual performance report for the financial year 2023/24, 52,665 people visited Uganda for religious purposes in 2023, up by 32 percent from 39,911 people in 2022. The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is, therefore, planning on promoting WiPolo Martyrs Shrine to be the second biggest religious tourist destination site in East Africa after the Uganda Martyrs shrines in Namugongo as a broader part to revitalize faith-based tourism in Uganda. “WiPolo shrine is a very promising site because it has many faithful who visit it to pay homage to its martyrs. The Namugongo shrines are largely visited because of the prominence they have been given and we want to extend the same to the WiPolo shrines,” said Simplicious Gessa, the head of public relations and communications at UTB. The shrines are now an addition to the Northern Uganda tourism circuit that has culture from the Karimojong, wildlife at Kidepo Valley National Park and adventure at Aruu falls creating a diversity of experience for tourists to the region. “Unlike other tourism products like wildlife and adventure, faith-based tourism is more central to people’s hearts making them more willing to travel from different corners of the world and we want to tap into that,” he added. jjingoernest1@gmail.com {loadposition inarticle}
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