Christians gear up for Ugandan Martyrs Day celebrations

This year's Martyrs Day activities will be led by the Jinja Diocese, with the theme "Lord, increase our faith" serving as their guide.

The police Kampala Metropolitan Area commander, Rogers Kauma Nsereko, told journalists on Monday at police headquarters in Naguru that the Jinja-Kampala Highway will have normal traffic flow but that Kireka-Kyaliwajjala Road will operate as a one-way for drivers going to Namugongo and Kyaliwajjala-Naalya Interchange will also operate as a one-way for vehicles leaving the venue.

“There will be a pedestrian path between the Kyaliwajjala Trading Centre to the Basilica, the Catholic Church. "Pedestrians should stay to the right, and emergency vehicles and VVIPs should stay to the left,” he stated.

Police has prohibited cameras and bulky outerwear on the grounds of both the Catholic and Anglican churches.

The prohibition, according to Patrick Onyango, a spokesman for the Kampala Metropolitan Police, is intended to ensure safe celebrations.

He said that journalists would be allowed to enter with their cameras, but only after they have been vetted and cleared by security, and that neither tourists nor ordinary citizens will be permitted to enter with cameras or bulky jackets.

Onyango added that some terrorists often carry harmful items in heavy coats with many pockets. As a result, counterterrorism officers have been stationed at the entrance to make sure that those wearing heavy jackets do not enter the building.

In anticipation of D-Day, thousands of pilgrims who began visiting both sites two weeks ago have set up camp inside with their mats and blankets.