Katoosa Martyrs Shrine

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Katoosa Martyrs Shrine (established in 1960s) is a Uganda catholics martyrs Shrine located in Katoosa parish in Kyenjonjo District.[1][2][3][4] It is where St. Adolf Tibeyalirwa was abducted.[5][6] It is also known as Katoosa Catholic Shrine[3], Katoosa shrine, Katoosa Parish shrine,[4] Katoosa Martyrs villa,[6] evil place full of rocks.[6] It was established in 1960s by Messenger Francis Kibira under the instructions of the Uganda Episcopal Conference.[6]

Location and geography[edit]

Coordinates: 0°37′56″N 30°38′51″E / 0.6321°N 30.6475°E / 0.6321; 30.6475

The Katoosa martyrs shrine is located in Katoosa Parish in Kyenjonjo district two kilometres off the Kyenjonjo-Kagadi road.[3][4][7] The shrine has more than 30 rocks/stones of 15 feet tall leaning on each other they have names of the Uganda martyrs and the dates on the martyrs were killed written on them.[6][2][8][9]

History[edit]

The development of the Katoosa martyrs shrine was intiated by the late Fr. Fortunate Kasangaki (its first parish priest) and Messenger Kaijanabyo as the curate.[10] It was established in 1960s by Messenger Francis Kibira under the instructions of the Uganda Episcopal Conference who later passed on the work to Messenger Hilarious Kaijanabyo due to his old age.[6]

Messenger Hilarious Kaijanabyo purchased the land from the traditionalists who were using the land for traditional rituals such as offering of sacrifices and he asked the traditionalists to vacate the place.[6] [11][9]

The Uganda catholic church consecrated the land and the rocks were inscribed with Uganda martyrs names, how they were killed, the age they were killed at where they were killed from, their respective spiritual duties and also painted with the portraits of the Uganda martyrs.[6][2][11][12] Other inscriptions and paintings on the rocks include ; Jesus' tomb, Bethlehem, Mwanga's seat among other words.[6]

Site construction and development[edit]

In 2024, Tom Butime (Minister for Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities) mentioned that government of Uganda was allocating 1.5 billion in the financial year of 2024/2025 that would be used in the construction of the parameter wall around the Katoosa Martyrs Shrine, a canteen and accommodation facilities, and water tanks.[10][3][13]

Annual celebrations for St. Adolf Tibeyalirwa[edit]

On 27 January of every year, an annual celebration for St. Adolf Tibeyalirwa is held at the Katoosa Catholic Shrine which is located in Katoosa Parish in Kyenjonjo district.[11][8][3][4][7][14][10][15][9][12] Five catholic dioceses participate in the organisation of this annual celebration and these include; Mbarara diocese, Fort portal diocese, Kabale diocese, Hoima diocese and kasese diocese.[4][1][10] In April 2023, the bishops from Mbarara provice intiated annual provincial celebrations to honour St. Adolf Tibeyariwa.[4]

On every 27 November of every year, catholic pilgrims from Tanzania and Rwanda trek to the Katoosa Martyrs shrine to pray.[6][2] The annual celebration was not held in 2021 and also in 2022 due to Covid-19.[9]

This annual celebration was attended by more than 80,000 pilgrims in 2023 from various districts in Uganda and also from Democratic republic of congo.[4][7][9] The pilgrims also trek every year to the Katoosa shrine to attend prayers to honour St, Adolf Tibeyalirwa.[16]

In 2024, the security personel issued a directive that stopped pilgrims from moving at night at the Katoosa Shrine due to the security threats that were caused by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).[4] The pilgrims were also required to move with their identification documents.[4]

Myths and legends[edit]

In the early marriage traditions in Tooro Kingdom, the brides were always moved at night to the groom's home.[6] One night when both the groom and the bride were passing near Katoosa rocks, the bride ran and entered into the rocks and it is believed that she was swallowed by one of the rocks and she was never seen again.[6]

Read also[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Pilgrims celebrate Martyrs' Day at Katoosa shrine". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  2. ^ a b c d "Pilgrims flock to Katoosa Martyrs shrine in Kyenjojo". Bukedde. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Govt pledges Shs1.5b to develop Katoosa shrine". Monitor. 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Katoosa: Security prohibits night travels for pilgrims". Monitor. 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  5. ^ "Govt to promote faith-based tourism in Mbarara". Monitor. 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Know Uganda: The making and history of Katoosa Martyrs Villa". Monitor. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  7. ^ a b c "Business boom as thousands flock Katoosa in pilgrimage". Monitor. 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  8. ^ a b "Pilgrims flock to Katoosa Martyrs shrine in Kyenjojo". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Thousands arrive in Kyenjojo for annual St Adolf Ludigo pilgrimage". Monitor. 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  10. ^ a b c d "Govt earmarks sh1.5b to renovate holy shrine in Kyenjonjo". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  11. ^ a b c "Katoosa consecrated rocks: Such a blessing for Christians". Monitor. 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  12. ^ a b "ECO ZONE: Adolf Ludigo shrine". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  13. ^ "Gavumenti esuubizza buwumbi okuddaabiriza ekiggwa e Kyenjojo". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  14. ^ "IN PICTURES: Fun, business at Katoosa Martyrs Shrine". Bukedde. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  15. ^ "About Us". Catholic Diocese Of FortPortal. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  16. ^ "The 50km trek to honour St Adolf Tibeyalirwa at Katoosa". Monitor. 2023-02-04. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
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