An estimated number of over 200, 000 pilgrims from different countries around the world gathered at the Namugongo Catholic Shrine to pay homage to the 22 Catholics and the 23 Anglicans who were killed by the fallen king (Kabaka) of Buganda kingdom called Mwanga II in 1886.

The mass at Catholic shrine started at 8:00am East African standard time. Christians sang songs of praise and those hailing the Uganda Martyrs.

The main celebrant was the new Bishop of Kotido Diocese Giuseppe Filippi. Giuseppe is the Provincial Superior of the Comboni Missionaries in Uganda. Bishop Giuseppe was born on March 17, 1945 in the Archdiocese of Trent in Italy. Giuseppe studied Philosophy and Theology at Ggaba National Major Seminary in Uganda.  The Bishop made his final profession in the Congregation of the Comboni Missionaries on April 28, 1977 and was ordained a priest in 1978. Following his ordination, Bishop Giuseppe served as Provincial Vocations Director for the Comboni Missionaries in Uganda, aserved in the diocese of Moroto, served at the Diocesan Minor seminary in Nadiket (Moroto Diocese), and he was also secretary general of the first and second diocesan synods of Moroto Diocese, assistant to the Superior General of the Comboni Missionaries in Rome, and later the Novice Master for the Comboni Missionaries in Zambia.   Preaching at Namugongo, Bishop Giuseppe preached against worshipping money and power. Giuseppe implored the rich to share their wealth with the poor citing the Martyrs who were committed to sharing what they had learnt with others and opened their houses to the sick. The guest of honour was president Museveni. Ends