Martyrs 'Holy' Well Water not Safe for Consumption

In Summary
  • Health experts have advised Church leaders that the water is unclean and not safe for human consumption. 
  • The faithful collect the water claiming it [water] has spiritual healing.
Bishop Charles Martin Wamika of Jinja Diocese
Bishop Charles Martin Wamika of Jinja Diocese
Image: Robert Ssegawa

Do not drink water from the Holy well at the Uganda Martyrs shrine, Catholic pilgrims have been warned.

 Pilgrims visiting the popular Namugongo Martyrs shrine, for the annual Uganda martyrs commemoration usually carry containers to put in the water collected from the well.

 The Uganda Martyrs' day is celebrated every 3rd of June, to remember 55 Uganda martyrs who were killed by Kabaka Mwanga between 31st January 1885 to 27th Jan 1887

 The faithful collect the water claiming it [water] has spiritual healing.

John Baptist Kauta Secretary general Uganda Episcopal Conference, Dennis Magoda, member organising committee , and Bishop Wamika at the conference in Nsambya
John Baptist Kauta Secretary general Uganda Episcopal Conference, Dennis Magoda, member organising committee , and Bishop Wamika at the conference in Nsambya
Image: Robert Ssegawa

However, the Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference Reverend Father John Kawuta said that health experts had advised Church leaders, the water is unclean and unsafe for human consumption. 

This was revealed at the Uganda Episcopal conference Secretariat Nsambya during the launch of activities to raise more than 2 billion shillings for this year's 2023 Martyrs' day celebration.

 Jinja Diocese is the main organizer of this year’s event.

Kawuta further noted that the church is planning to set up more taps for the well for easy access due to the high demand for water.