DIVINE MERCY CHAPEL
The Divine Mercy Chapel at the Munyonyo Martyrs Catholic Shrine was envisioned as a sacred place where pilgrims could encounter the boundless mercy of God through perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Its story began as part of the shrine’s expansion project, following the groundbreaking of the basilica in 2015. The Franciscan Friars, entrusted with the care of this holy site, desired to create a quiet spiritual refuge that complements the historical memory of the Uganda Martyrs with a living devotion to Divine Mercy.
The Divine Mercy Chapel at Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine
The Divine Mercy Chapel at the Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine in Kampala, Uganda, stands as a sacred space for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal. Nestled within the historic grounds where Saints Andrew Kaggwa and Denis Ssebuggwawo were martyred in 1886, the chapel embodies the profound faith and sacrifice of the Uganda Martyrs.
Established as part of the Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine, which was consecrated in 2017 and later elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica in 2019, the Divine Mercy Chapel offers a tranquil environment for perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Pilgrims and visitors are invited to engage in silent prayer, seek forgiveness, and experience the boundless mercy of God.
The chapel’s serene atmosphere and spiritual significance make it a cherished destination for those seeking solace and a deeper connection with their faith. It serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the martyrs and the transformative power of divine mercy.
The dream for the chapel was born in the early 2010s, when the Conventual Franciscan Friars, entrusted with the care of Munyonyo Shrine, envisioned a dedicated space for Eucharistic Adoration. They sought to create a chapel that would embody the message of Divine Mercy, echoing Christ’s call to trust in His infinite love.
In 2015, the shrine grounds saw major developments, beginning with the construction of the new basilica and supporting structures. Within this master plan, the Divine Mercy Chapel was designed as a distinct and contemplative sanctuary, set slightly apart from the busier spaces of worship.
Design and Spiritual Symbolism
Architectural plans presented the chapel as a circular structure, symbolizing eternity and God’s endless mercy. The outer walls, with their earthy tones and perforated design, allow light and air to flow through, creating a prayerful atmosphere of peace.
Surrounding the chapel, a terraced lawn was laid out, featuring plaques inscribed with the words “Jesus, I trust in You” in over 25 languages, including Luganda, English, Swahili, and Chinese. This design expressed the universal nature of Divine Mercy — uniting peoples of all nations in one prayer of trust.
Construction and Completion
The Divine Mercy Chapel project moved into active development after the consecration of the Munyonyo Basilica in 2017. By 2021, the chapel was nearing completion, with updates from the shrine confirming it as part of their second phase of construction.
Though exact dates of completion are less publicly recorded, the chapel has since opened to the faithful, offering a permanent space for 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration. Its inauguration marked the fulfillment of a dream to give pilgrims an intimate place to encounter Christ’s mercy in silence and devotion.
Spiritual Role Today
Today, the chapel functions as the heart of perpetual prayer within the shrine. Pilgrims gather here at all hours to adore the Blessed Sacrament, intercede for personal needs, and reflect on God’s mercy. Daily Praise & Worship evenings at 6:30 PM add to the rhythm of devotion, making the chapel a living wellspring of grace.
The Divine Mercy Chapel is not only an architectural addition but also a spiritual gift to Uganda and the world — a reminder that the same mercy which strengthened the Uganda Martyrs continues to flow for all believers.
From its planning to its completion, the Divine Mercy Chapel embodies a vision of faith, healing, and unity. It is a space where the sacrifice of the martyrs, the mission of the Church, and the devotion to God’s mercy converge. At Munyonyo, pilgrims find not only history but also a living encounter with Jesus, the Divine Mercy.
The Divine Mercy Chapel at the Munyonyo Martyrs Catholic Shrine was envisioned as a sacred place where pilgrims could encounter the boundless mercy of God through perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Its story began as part of the shrine’s expansion project, following the groundbreaking of the basilica in 2015. The Franciscan Friars, entrusted with the care of this holy site, desired to create a quiet spiritual refuge that complements the historical memory of the Uganda Martyrs with a living devotion to Divine Mercy.
The Divine Mercy Chapel is more than an architectural structure — it’s a sacred refuge of spiritual healing and divine encounter, where the faithful can:
Embrace the contemplative presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament with constant adoration
Pray in a multi-lingual, inclusive environment that reflects universal trust in God’s mercy
Find solace in a serene, natural setting, fostering peaceful communion with God and oneself
This chapel beautifully complements the shrine’s broader history — it sits on hallowed ground where early martyrs took their final journey, and stands as a living testament to faith, forgiveness, and connection to God across generations.
Surrounding the chapel, a terraced lawn was laid out, featuring plaques inscribed with the words “Jesus, I trust in You” in over 25 languages, including Luganda, English, Swahili, and Chinese. This design expressed the universal nature of Divine Mercy — uniting peoples of all nations in one prayer of trust.
Construction and Completion
The Divine Mercy Chapel at the Munyonyo Martyrs Catholic Shrine was envisioned as a sacred place where pilgrims could encounter the boundless mercy of God through perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Its story began as part of the shrine’s expansion project, following the groundbreaking of the basilica in 2015. The Franciscan Friars, entrusted with the care of this holy site, desired to create a quiet spiritual refuge that complements the historical memory of the Uganda Martyrs with a living devotion to Divine Mercy.
Designed as a circular, contemplative space, the chapel symbolizes eternity and God’s endless love. Surrounding the building is a terraced lawn inscribed with the words “Jesus, I Trust in You” in over 25 languages, reflecting the universality of this devotion and welcoming pilgrims from all nations.
Construction of the chapel was carried out as part of the shrine’s second development phase after the consecration of the basilica in 2017. By 2021, the chapel was nearing completion, and today it stands open to the faithful as a sanctuary of prayer, healing, and silence. Here, day and night, the Blessed Sacrament is adored without interruption, offering a place where hearts can rest in God’s mercy.
The Divine Mercy Chapel is more than a structure—it is the living heart of Munyonyo Shrine, where the faith of the martyrs meets the mercy of Christ. It invites all who come to pause, pray, and trust in the Lord’s love.
Programs at the Divine Mercy Chapel
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
– The Blessed Sacrament is exposed 24 hours a day for silent prayer and adoration.
– Adoration pauses briefly during Holy Mass.
- Daily Holy Mass
– Weekdays: 6:15 AM (Silent Mass).
– Sundays: 7:00 AM (Luganda), 9:00 AM (English), 10:00 AM (Luganda) at the chapel.
- Evening Praise & Worship
– Held every day at 6:30 PM, combining prayer, hymns, and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament.
- Spiritual Reflection & Confessions
– The chapel serves as a quiet place for personal prayer, reflection, and reconciliation.
- Special Devotions
– Divine Mercy prayers and chaplet recitations are encouraged, especially on Fridays and Divine Mercy Sunday.
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