Millions to Celebrate the "Forefathers" of Christianity in Africa

George Thomas : Jun 1, 2016
CBN News

Nearly 2 million are expected to attend memorial services this Friday, including the country's president, Yoweri Museveni.

(Uganda)—[CBN News] Christians in the East African nation of Uganda are preparing to celebrate Martyrs Day on June 3. (Photo via CBN News)

The day commemorates the martyrdom of 45 Ugandan men who converted to Christianity between the years of 1885 and 1887.

The story goes that the king of the country at that time was so outraged by their decision to convert that he ordered the mostly young men to be burnt to death.

The men, whose ages were between 14 and 50, are referred to as the 'forefathers' of Christianity in Africa.

Twenty-two of the men were Catholic, the rest were Anglican.

Ugandan authorities estimate that nearly 2 million people will attend memorial services this Friday, including the country's president, Yoweri Museveni.

The celebrations theme this year is, "The truth will make you free."