By Baraka John
Hundreds of Catholic faithful gathered in Ibba County on Tuesday to celebrate the feast of St. Charles Lwanga, honoring the Ugandan martyr’s legacy of faith and courage.
The celebration took place at St. Charles Lwanga Parish, where Fr. Bie Emmanuel presided over a solemn Mass attended by parishioners, local community leaders, and invited guests from other denominations.
In his homily, Fr. Bie Emmanuel urged the faithful to draw inspiration from the life of St. Charles Lwanga, who stood firm in his Christian convictions in the face of persecution. “Let us emulate Charles Lwanga’s determination to serve the living God,” he said. “In our daily lives, we are called to the same faithfulness and commitment.”
A significant highlight of the feast was the confirmation of 71 new believers, who received the sacrament administered by Fr. Bie Emmanuel. Their inclusion into the Catholic Church was met with joy and celebration by the congregation.
Adding to the ecumenical spirit of the event, Rev. Pastor Andrea from the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Ibba Diocese, was in attendance and commended the celebration. “Lwanga was a great man of God,” he said, recognizing the shared Christian heritage and the unity such events foster across denominations.
The day’s festivities concluded with cultural performances, drama, and sports activities, reinforcing the community’s spirit of togetherness and joy.
St. Charles Lwanga, one of the 22 Ugandan martyrs canonized in 1964, is remembered for his unwavering faith and leadership among young Christians during the 19th century persecution under King Mwanga II. His feast day is celebrated annually on June 3rd, but was marked in Ibba this year on June 5th.
