The commemoration to mark the day of late Bishop James Hannington is currently ongoing at Kyando Village, Mayuge District in Busoga sub region.
The Late Bishop Hannington’s Day is an annual event celebrated every October 29th to remember the day on which he was killed.
It is believed that Bishop Hannington, the then reigning Bishop of the Anglican Church in East Africa, along with 48 of his 50 followers, was speared and stoned to death at Kyando village in Mayuge District on October 29th, 1885.
The late Bishop and his entourage were attacked and killed by the local leaders while spreading Christianity.
Hannington was the first East African Anglican Bishop, born on 3rd September 1847 at Hurstpierpoint in Sussex, England.
He came to serve as a missionary. While in Busoga, Chief Luba of Busoga informed Kabaka Mwanga of his activities, and he was murdered on October 29th, 1885 at Kyando in Bunha Chiefdom, Mayuge District.
It is believed that Hannington was the first Christian martyr, and every 29th of October of the year, Christians visit Kyando to celebrate his life.
According to the Minister of Tourism and Heritage in the Busoga Kingdom, Owek Hellen Namutamba, President Musevevni and other dignitaries are expected to preside over the event.
Namutamba said that the Bishop James Hannington memorial site has a fascinating experience that everyone should visit.
She notes that once the site is fully rehabilitated, it will increase the number of tourists in Busoga and Uganda at large.
She added that the site has various tourist features which include Bishop James Hannington’s cave (bedroom), a library, devotions and prayer area, Bishop Hannington’s murder stone, spring well, and torture stone, among others.
Kyando is located 13 km south-west of Mayuge Town, adjacent to Lake Victoria.
Along the hill is a popular church built to commemorate the life of Bishop James Hannington’s journey to Busoga.