The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has been commended for its swift, life-saving, and dignified emergency response during this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day pilgrimage, one of Africa’s most significant annual religious gatherings.
Each year, millions of faithful journey to Namugongo to honor the 45 Ugandan martyrs, 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican, who were killed for their faith in 1886. On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, thousands of pilgrims from across Uganda, the African continent, and beyond converged at the Uganda Martyrs Shrines in Namugongo for this sacred commemoration.
This year’s celebrations were held under the theme “Walking in the Footsteps of the Martyrs for a Faithful Journey.” The national event drew political leaders, including the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (represented by the Vice President, Rt. Maj. Jessica Alupo), religious leaders, and millions of pilgrims.
The Catholic shrine was led by the Lugazi Diocese, with Mass presided over by His Lordship Bishop Christopher Kakooza. At the Anglican shrine, the service was led by the Gulu diocese. The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Bishop Henry Ndukuba, and the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, delivered the keynote sermon.
As in previous years, the large turnout posed logistical and health challenges. Pilgrims endured long treks, fatigue, dehydration, and minor injuries, with many arriving at the shrines with blisters, bruises, and in some cases, severe medical conditions requiring immediate intervention. The Uganda Red Cross Society rose to the occasion, positioning itself at the frontline of emergency support. Through its Emergency Medical Services (EMS), URCS provides nationwide prehospital care to pilgrims from their districts of origin to Namugongo.
As usual, URCS activated 21 ambulance teams to provide emergency medical escort services to pilgrims en route to Namugongo. From the 30th of May to the 3rd of June 2025, URCS deployed 11 ambulance teams to support emergency medical services in Namugongo and along the highways to Namugongo, working together with the Uganda Red Cross Action Teams from the URCS Kampala branches, to provide first aid services to pilgrims at the respective shrines.
Pilgrims along the main routes received on-the-spot first aid and clinical care while critical cases were stabilized and transferred by the ambulance teams to health facilities for advanced care. In Namugongo, the Red Cross response hub was fully equipped to handle the medical needs of thousands.
Our EMS deployment to Namugongo is a coordinated, multi-agency effort involving prepositioned ambulances, trained responders, and real-time surveillance. This year, we provided critical prehospital care to hundreds of pilgrims, some with trek-related injuries, others with pre-existing conditions worsened by the crowd pressure. Our goal is simple: zero preventable deaths at pilgrimage sites.” In doing this, URCS partnered with the Ministry of Health and the Uganda police.
In addition to emergency medical care, URCS also provided Protection and Restoration of Family Links services, successfully reuniting unaccompanied minors with their families. Public health awareness campaigns, including messages related to post-outbreak vigilance for Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SEVD) and the ongoing Mpox response. The Uganda Red Cross Society Namugongo deployment was commanded by the Department of Health and Social Services under the leadership of Dr. Josephine Okwera.
In partnership with the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), URCS also used the event to mobilize voluntary blood donors. Ten volunteers were deployed at the Catholic Shrine and another ten at the Anglican Shrine, engaging pilgrims through one-on-one mobilization, Mega phones and even the use of the church’s public address systems during mass and service. These efforts enabled the team to reach over 150,000 pilgrims with vital information about the importance of regular blood donation.
The impact was tangible. A total of 655 units of blood were collected during the pilgrimage:
- 536 units from the Catholic Shrine
- 119 units from the Anglican Shrine
Out of these, 274 were repeat donors, and 381 were new donors a strong indication of growing awareness and participation. Additionally, 109 blood donors were enrolled onto the national blood donor database. These are individuals who can be called upon during emergencies, especially when rare blood types are needed.
This lifesaving support is vital in maintaining Uganda’s blood stocks and ensuring timely transfusions for patients across the country. Through these efforts, URCS not only safeguarded lives during the pilgrimage but also contributed to the country’s long-term health system resilience.
The Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, lauded the Uganda Red Cross and other partners for their tireless dedication. “The importance of timely prehospital care in mass gatherings like this cannot be overstated. We commend URCS for ensuring the health and dignity of all pilgrims through their swift, coordinated, and life-saving services,” Dr. Aceng noted.
Once again, the Uganda Red Cross Society has demonstrated not only its professionalism and preparedness, but its unwavering humanitarian spirit safeguarding lives and upholding dignity at one of the nation’s most spiritually significant events.