President Museveni will attend this year’s national commemoration of Bishop James Hannington at Kyando Hill in Mayuge District on October 29, as the government aims to develop the historical site into an international religious tourism destination.
The event, which will be led by the Diocese of Central Busoga, will be held under the theme, “Anchored in Christ for Unity, Peace and Stability,” with Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu expected to lead the thanksgiving service.
Under Secretary in the Directorate for Ethics and Integrity, Joel Wanjala, announced the preparations on Thursday at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, saying the commemoration would bring together religious and cultural leaders, government officials and members of the public to reflect on Hannington’s legacy.
“The message of the theme is reconciliation, peace and unity. These are values every Ugandan, of every faith, can embrace as we build a stable and prosperous nation,” Wanjala said.
Bishop Hannington, the first Anglican Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, was killed on October 29, 1885, on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, who viewed his arrival from the eastern route as a threat to the Buganda Kingdom.
Hannington had travelled to the region to advance the Christian mission and camped at Kyando Hill in Bunya County, in present-day Mayuge District, where he preached before his death.
His killing became an important episode in Uganda’s Christian history and preceded the persecution and execution of other Christians remembered as the Uganda Martyrs between 1885 and 1886.
His remains were initially buried at Nyanza before his family later returned them to Uganda. He is now buried at Namirembe Hill, the seat of the Church of Uganda in Kampala.
Wanjala said the annual commemoration was intended to preserve the historical significance of Hannington’s death while promoting religious values, national unity and cooperation between the government and faith organisations.
The Directorate for Ethics and Integrity, which falls under the Office of the President, has coordinated religious activities since President Museveni assigned it the responsibility in July 2015.
The directorate works with the Church of Uganda, government ministries, district local governments, cultural institutions and local leaders to organise the national event.
Several activities have been organised ahead of the main commemoration, including missionary work, school visits, a youth conference, a men’s conference and a women’s conference at Kyando Hill.
A week of mission and intercession will also be held in parishes across the area, with different groups expected to spend time at the historical site for prayer, ministry and reflection.
The main event on October 29 will feature a thanksgiving service followed by speeches. President Museveni is expected to be the chief guest, while Archbishop Kaziimba will lead the religious service.
After the service, bishops are expected to travel to Budimo in Busia District, where Hannington’s body was reportedly placed on a tree while being transported to Nyanza.
Wanjala said the commemoration had attracted growing numbers of participants, with attendance rising from about 2,500 people in 2024 to more than 10,000 in 2025.
He said the growing event had also contributed to infrastructure improvements and economic opportunities for communities around the site.
“The Mayuge-Kyando road has been upgraded from gravel to tarmac, and the Ministry of Works and Transport has improved the road that passes near the site where Bishop Hannington was murdered,” Wanjala said.
He added that the growing number of visitors had encouraged the establishment of new hotels in the area, creating opportunities for local businesses to benefit from religious tourism.
The government now intends to develop Kyando Hill into an international religious tourism site, with a site development committee already established and a development plan in place.
According to Wanjala, technical officers from relevant ministries, departments and agencies are working on a budget for approval to support the planned development.
The government is also working with Uganda Christian University in Mukono to document Hannington’s life and historical significance to ensure that future generations understand his contribution to Uganda’s religious history.
Wanjala called on the media to give the event extensive coverage and urged Ugandans in the country and abroad to participate in the commemoration.
He said the event would provide an opportunity for people of different religious backgrounds to reflect on reconciliation, peaceful coexistence and national stability.
Members of Cabinet, religious and cultural leaders, security agencies and the general public have been invited to attend the October 29 gathering at Kyando Hill.
