The Leadership of the Joint Security Agencies would like to applaud all security personnel and stakeholders who in their areas of responsibility enabled a very peaceful, safe and secure, Uganda Martyrs Day Celebrations in Namugongo, Nakiyanja and at Mamre Prayer Centre. From a security standpoint, the Martyrs Day Celebrations was a resounding success. Out special thanks go to H.E. The President of the Republic of Uganda for the massive support and contribution, to the organisers of this years’ Martyrs Day Celebrations. Over 3 million participants were effectively secured, including foreign Christian delegations from the USA, Europe, South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, South Sudan among others.
We do greatly thank the organisers at the Catholic Site, Anglican Site, Mamre Prayer Centre and the Muslim Site. From the Catholic side, we thank His Lordship Bishop Charles Martin Wamika, Bishop of Jinja Diocese and the Archdiocese of Tororo, for leading the celebrations. And from the Anglican side, we thank the most Rev. Dr. Foley Beach, The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of North America and the 10 dioceses of the Eastern Cluster from Bukedi, Mbale, Sebei, Soroti, Busoga, Central Busoga, Kumi, Karamoja, North Mbale and North Karamoja, who led the celebrations. At Mamre Prayer Centre, the prayers were led by Bishop Jacinto Kibuuka, while the prayers at the Muslim site, were led by the Deputy Mufti, Waisswa Mohammed.
Our Special thanks also go out to the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Robina Nabanja, the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Lukia Isanga Nakadama, Hon. Minister, Justice Lumumba Kasule, Hon. Minister Tom Butime, The Leader of Opposition, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, His Highness, the Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Paul Semwogerere, The Archbishop Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu, The Nuncio to Uganda, Bishop Luigi Bianco; Rt. Revv. Kityo Luwalira, Hon. Namgoli Gerald, the Chief Guest at Mamre Prayer Centre, all other Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Bishops and Members of the Clergy, other dignitaries, and invitees, who graced and participated in the popular religious pilgrimage.
The leadership of Kiira Municipality, the local community in Namugongo and the surrounding areas, the LCs, friends of the police like Sheikh Umaru Yusuf Sekagya, who gave us space at Munawala Mosque, we thank you all for your level of patience, welcoming spirit and vigilance. To all the pilgrims who trekked long distances to renew their faith, we congratulate you all. And also pray for the two pilgrims, who lost their lives in a fatal accident along the Kampala – Masaka Highway. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and relatives.
Generally, the popular celebrations passed without any major incidents or threats. From a policing standpoint, there were very few incidents in relation to the large number of over 3 million people. From the 28.05.2023 to the 4.06.2023 (8 days), only 199 cases were registered. Of those few incidents, the main cases were theft of phones (130), theft in general (62), other offences (07), which led to 148 arrests (male 137, females 03, male juveniles 08). A total of 45 children who were lost were recovered and united with their parents and guardians. Some lost and found properties including phones, National IDs, Bibles and clothes were recovered, others handed over. Arrangements were in place to have the 22 pilgrims still stranded at the Catholic site, transported back to their places of origin.
The organisers of the event epitomised partnership working. The Joint Security personnel were very alert and professional, in the many roles they carried out, before, during and after the pilgrimage. The full team effort included; SFC, UPDF, Prisons, Joint Intelligence teams of ISO, CMI, ESO and CI; the UPF Units of General Duties, Field Force Unit, CID, Fire and Rescue, Traffic, Airwing, Forensic, K9, Intergrated Highway Patrol, Public Relations and Chief Political Commissariat, Police Health Services, The Red Cross and the Media
The fact that our policing philosophy of working together is always successful, we shall continue with the same approach to make our country, a nicer, safe place to live in and also visit. Once again, it was a great honor for the Joint Security Agencies and all stakeholders to deliver a peaceful, safe and secure, religious pilgrimage, in commemoration of the Uganda Martyrs.
SCP Enanga Fred
Police Spokesperson
5th June 2023
