On June 5, 2025, just days after the annual Uganda Martyrs Day, Sheikh Burhan Muhsin Kiti, a well-known Ugandan Islamic scholar, preacher, public speaker, and Daawa activist (Islamic missionary), refused to apologize to the church and the public after making a statement that the Pilgrimage people make going to Namugongo is an act of idol worship (ebibumbe). He also described the act as non-religious.
Each year on June 3, Uganda’s religious community commemorates Uganda Martyrs Day, honoring a group of 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican converts to Christianity who were executed between January 31, 1885, and January 27, 1887, under the orders of Kabaka Mwanga. This makes the pilgrimage to Namugongo a site of profound religious significance for Christians, particularly Catholics and Anglicans. For years, it has attracted Christians from within Uganda and globally.
Christians on social media criticized Sheikh Mushin’s statement and requested that he apologize to the church and the public. However, he has refused to do so and remains firm in his beliefs. In a post on X, Sheikh Mushin Kiti stated, “I stand by my words regarding Namugongo. I believe it’s essential to speak the truth. The Church of Uganda may seek an apology, but I won’t compromise my convictions. I’d like to ask: How do the idols and revered figures relate to the worship of God?”
The pilgrimage serves multiple purposes: it is a spiritual journey meant to honor the martyrs’ sacrifice, a communal gathering that reinforces Christian identity, and a public demonstration of faith. Many pilgrims walk long distances sometimes hundreds of kilometers to reach Namugongo, viewing the journey as an act of penance and devotion. The event also fosters a sense of unity among Christians from different regions and denominations, despite occasional disagreements.
For many Ugandan Christians, the martyrs represent resistance to oppression and unwavering faith, making the pilgrimage a deeply symbolic act of devotion. In Islamic theology, idolatry (shirk) is considered a grave sin, as it violates the principle of Tawhid (the oneness of God). While the Namugongo pilgrimage is a celebration of heritage and resistance for Ugandan Christians, some Muslims like Sheikh Kiti may perceive it as idol worship.
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