The Vice Ssaabakristu of Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine, Ms Nambi Kate, together with the Munyonyo
Parish Executive and Council Secretary, Mr John Chrysostom Katongole, represented the Shrine Rector
and Parish Priest, Fr. Male, at an ecumenical commemoration held in memory of Anglican Bishop James
Hannington in Budimo, Busia District.
The event, held on Sunday, 16 November 2025, honoured the historical decision taken at Munyonyo by
Kabaka Mwanga to kill all followers of Christ, both Catholic and Anglican. A statue at Munyonyo
depicts Mubi-azaalwa, an Anglican, and Kalooli Lwanga, a Catholic, holding a rosary, being led to
Namugongo, where they ultimately gave their lives. This enduring symbol of shared witness underpins
the spirit of ecumenism reflected during the event.
Retired Principal Judge of the High Court, Hon. Canon James Munange Ogoola, delivered reflections on
the origins of this ecumenical tradition. He recalled that during the Archbishop of Canterbury’s 2020
visit to Uganda, the Anglican leader was received at Budimo by a Catholic priest. He also noted
numerous visits to the site by Catholic Archbishops, bishops, priests and lay leaders, including Fr. Male,
who in 2016 planted a “Unity Tree” at Budimo together with the resident Anglican priest. The tree,
which has since branched into two, one representing the Anglican tradition and the other the
Catholic—has become a powerful symbol of Christian unity.
The Catholic head of laity from Munyonyo and the head of laity from Budimo also planted a second tree
at the site, named the “Bulala Tree.”
In 2015, during his visit to Munyonyo, Pope Francis joined leaders from various Christian traditions in
Uganda—including Anglicans, Orthodox, and Pentecostals—in watering seven seedlings sourced from
the Unity Tree. These symbolic trees now stand across Uganda: at Nnamungoona (Orthodox), Gulu
(Catholic), Namugongo (Catholic), Namugongo (Anglican), Paimol (Daudi Okelo and Gildo Irwa),
Mucwini (Archbishop Janani Luwum), and at Budimo, which is expected to become the successor to the
original tree.
Judge Ogoola further highlighted the heroic intercession of Mukasa Balikudembe, a Catholic who lost
his life while attempting to protect Bishop Hannington. He emphasized the presence of senior religious
leaders at the event—including Catholic Archbishop Emmanuel Obbo (AJ) of Tororo and Archbishop
Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu of the Church of Uganda—as an enduring sign of unity that should
be continually nurtured.
He also extended appreciation to former Speaker of Parliament and current First Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, for her dedicated efforts
toward promoting Bishop Hannington’s legacy and supporting the development of Budimo.
Describing Munyonyo and Budimo as “the twin sites of the Martyrs,” Ogoola thanked Fr. Male for
sending a delegation to the commemoration. He invited all present to witness a significant milestone
toward transforming Budimo into “the Nnamugongo of the East,” marked by Archbishop Kaziimba
Mugalu’s laying of the foundation stone for the new Kazimba Mugalu Pavilion—envisioned to host
future pilgrimages and ecumenical events at the site.