Religious Sites in Uganda.
Religious Sites in Uganda, they have different houses of worship which are evenly distributed throughout the country. However, Uganda is famously known for Pilgrimage to commemorate the Uganda Martyrs on 3rd June. Which attracted Pilgrims from all over the world before the outbreak of COVID 19. Uganda also homes the only Bahai Temple on the African continent. Uganda has both Christianity and Islamic religions. Thus making it an interesting destination for those seeking spiritual growth. Some of the main religious houses and places are listed below.
Bahai Temple
the only one of its kind in Africa
The Bahai faith was introduced to Uganda in 1951, making it one of the earliest Bahai communities in East Africa. Since then, the Ugandan Bahai have firmly established the faith in their country. With members representing nearly every tribal and religious background and being in over 2,800 localities throughout the country.
The first Bahai House of Worship on the African continent, completed in 1961. S situated in Kampala and has become a well-known landmark of the capital. Bahai Houses of Worship are spiritual gathering places open to all peoples. It is also known as the Bhai Mother Temple of Africa. It is one of the 9 that exist in the world and the only one in Africa, it occupies more than 52acres with a recreational garden. That attracts many for prayers, relaxation, meditations and also to look at its architectural structure.
Namugongo Martyrs Shrine
Home of the Uganda Martyrs’- 45 Christian men who willingly died for their faith. It’s the most prominent religious attraction for martyrdom and pilgrimages.
It stands tall with the grandeur of an ancient Cathedral whose structural design derives its inspiration from the African Hut. This Basilica has 22 copper pillars over 100 feet long supporting the shrine, with the capacity to accommodate 1000 people whose seats are organized in a circular form. A lake was excavated in the Martyrs’ honor and bares a pavilion or island which takes the form of a modern boat, it has a deck like a feature on which the altar for Holy Mass is found and a cabin beneath the altar bearing the scarcity, a kitchen, and bedroom which Pope Francis shortly occupied on his visit to Uganda in 2015. 3rd June is the day on which Uganda celebrates Martyr’s day and for the past 96 years.
Meanwhile 22 martyrs were killed between 1885 and 1887 by Kabaka Mwanga, 13 of them were burnt to death in Namugongo and these include Charles Lwanga, Mattias Mulumba K, Kizito, Joseph M Balikuddembe, and others.
Gaddafi Mosque
in Kampala is the second largest mosque in Africa.
The colorful structure with its magnificent features of Art was built and designed based on a mixture of cultures of Arab, European, and an African Touch. Built on Old Kampala City’s Seven Hills. It can also be viewed from all corners of Kampala. The mosque is open to all people regardless of their creeds, political affiliations, ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and nationalities. It is the country’s national mosque and another key destination for religious tourism in Uganda, it is located at Kampala Hill in the old Kampala area, it seats up to 15000 worshipers and can hold another 1000 in the gallery, while the terrace will hold 3500, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya commissioned the mosque as a gift to Uganda.
Kibuli mosque. It is famous for its history and architecture. The first mosque at the site was set up in the 1800s and the current mosque was established in 1951.
The two Cathedrals are Namirembe and Rubaga Cathedral.
Saint Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, commonly referred to as Namirembe Cathedral, is the oldest cathedral in Uganda. It started in 1897 as a diocese of Uganda until it acquired the name Namirembe Diocese in 1960.
Inside the church are the remains of Bishop Hannington who was murdered in October 1885 just before the gospel of Mathew was printed in Luganda as well as the cooks who began Mengo hospital. At the top of this religious hill, you will have a spectacular 360 degrees’ sight of Kampala city. Namirembe cathedral. This church is referred to as the biggest and the oldest Anglican Church in Uganda. It has very beautiful scenery and a calm environment for meditations, prayers, and wedding photographs.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral Rubaga, commonly referred to as Rubaga Cathedral, is the parent cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala, the oldest Roman Catholic diocese in Uganda. It is located on one of the seven hills of Kampala, Rubaga hill Lubaga Division. The cathedral is situated about 3 km westwards by road from Kampala city center. It was built by the French catholic missionaries who were known as white fathers. Tourism activities include prayers, sightseeing, prayer celebrations, and meditations.
Bishop Hannington Memorial site. Located in the Mayuge district in Kyando village is said to be the place where the First Anglican British missionary, Bishop Hannington was murdered by the orders of the then king of Buganda. It has a resort Centre with accommodation rooms for pilgrims and tourists and a commemoration church that hosts prayer celebrations and church services. Best of Religious Sites in Uganda