This is an annual celebration held on 3rd June; the feast of the Uganda Martyrs as decreed by the act of canonization in 1964 by the Universal Catholic Church. In Uganda. the government declared this day a national public holiday in commemoration of the first Christian Martyrs in the country. The Uganda Martyrs Day attracts pilgrims from all corners of the world making it one of the biggest Christian events in the world. This celebration has a series of events that start a month earlier; with most of the Christians footing to the Shrine as a pilgrimage and homage to the Catholic Martyrs and Saints. Among other events is the Novena which begins on 25th May and ends.

History

Years after the death of Charles Lwanga, Mathias Mulumba and their companions, many people started seeking for their intercession; this was followed by individuals and small parties visiting their execution sites.

The Dutch priest, then based at Nsambya, walked with a group of Christians to Namugongo and celebrated Holy Mass at the spot where Charles Lwanga was martyred. After Mass he erected a cross at the same spot and this marked the beginning of pilgrimages to Namugongo.