Ponsiano Ngondwe was among the 25 Uganda Martyrs killed during the persecution of Christians under Kabaka Mwanga II between 1885 and 1887.
Lugazi Catholic Diocese has embarked on plans to transform the shrine of Uganda Martyr Ponsiano Ngondwe at Bulimu Village in Kyampisi Sub-county, Mukono District, into a major pilgrimage centre, with additional land already secured to support the proposed expansion.
Bishop Christopher Kakooza said the diocese was developing architectural plans to upgrade the shrine and improve its surrounding facilities to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.
He said the proposed developments would also be integrated with the existing Bulimu Roman Catholic Primary School, with plans to construct storeyed classroom blocks to address the growing demand for space.
“We want the shrine’s development to go hand in hand with that of our existing primary school. We are considering constructing storeyed classroom blocks to maximise the available space, given that this is an urban area in Mukono where land is increasingly valuable,” Kakooza said.
He was speaking on Sunday during the annual pilgrimage at the shrine, situated at the birthplace of Ngondwe, which attracted hundreds of Catholics from the four districts of Lugazi Diocese: Mukono, Buikwe, Kayunga and Buvuma.
The Vicar General of Lugazi Diocese, Msgr Richard Kayondo, revealed that the diocese had acquired an additional acre of land to facilitate the planned expansion.
The acquisition is expected to provide room for the development of infrastructure necessary to accommodate pilgrims and other visitors.
Earlier, Fenekansi Kato Lutuuma, the Katikkiro of the Nyonyi Nyange Clan, which originates from Bulimu and is linked to Ngondwe’s family lineage, appealed to the Church to develop the shrine to international standards, comparable to other prominent pilgrimage sites dedicated to the Uganda Martyrs.
The pilgrimage Mass was presided over by Bishop Kakooza, assisted by Msgr Kayondo and retired Bishop Mathias Ssekamanya. Several priests from parishes across the diocese attended the celebration, which was animated by a combined choir from Mukono Deanery.
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Who was Ponsiano Ngondwe?
Ponsiano Ngondwe was among the 25 Uganda Martyrs killed during the persecution of Christians under Kabaka Mwanga II between 1885 and 1887.
He hailed from Bulimu Village in Kyampisi Sub-county, where his ancestral home has since become an important Catholic pilgrimage site.
Before converting to Christianity, Ngondwe served as a royal guard in Kabaka Mwanga II’s palace. His duties reportedly included collecting revenue, including cattle levies, on behalf of the kingdom.
According to accounts preserved by his family, Ngondwe once collected a cow from the herd of Mukajanga, the chief executioner, as part of the royal levy. The incident reportedly angered Mukajanga, who subsequently had him imprisoned.
Ngondwe later embraced Christianity and joined other converts who chose death rather than renouncing their faith in Jesus Christ.
His legacy continues to attract Catholic pilgrims to Bulimu, where they gather annually to pray, seek spiritual guidance and honour his sacrifice. He also has close ties to the Buganda Nyonyi Nyange clan, whose ancestral headquarters are located just metres from the Catholic pilgrimage site.
Clergy urge Catholics to remain steadfast
In his homily, Msgr Kayondo cautioned Christians against joining emerging religious groups whose practices resemble those of the Catholic Church, urging the faithful to remain committed to their faith and avoid being misled into abandoning it.
Bishop Kakooza also announced plans to establish two new parishes in 2027 to bring Church services closer to Christians.
He said Bukaya Parish would be curved out of Mbikko Parish, while Kalagi Parish would be separated from Naggalama Parish.
The new parishes, he said, would reduce the distances Christians travel to attend Mass and participate in other Church activities.
The diocesan head of laity, Dr Augustine Kato, commended Christians for their strong turnout and continued support for Church activities in their respective parishes.
Kato urged the faithful to draw inspiration from Ngondwe’s courage and commitment to Christianity by remaining firm in their faith and persevering through life’s challenges.
The pilgrimage was also attended by Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze Bakireke and other dignitaries.
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