By Timothy Okurut
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Vision Group as the official lead media partner in coverage of the Martyrs day celebrations. “It is right and fitting that we partner with Vision Group because UCU believes in being a center of excellence in the heart of Africa and we know in this country that Vision Group is a center of excellence in media,” the Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi said as he made his remarks.
The Vision Group Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Don Wanyama was equally pleased to announce their participation in the MOU. “We’re honored to formalize Vision Group’s role as the lead media partner for the Martyrs day 2026 celebrations at the Anglican site,” Wanyama said. He also raised awareness of the National Martyrs’ Choral festival, a musical event customarily held in the build-up to the celebrations. “As we work with UCU, we shall be letting you know the details of how you can participate and what you stand to gain by being a participant.”
According to the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, and head of the Organising Committee of the Martyrs day celebrations in the Anglican shrine in Namugongo, Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, today’s proceedings were held to formalize working relations that the two stakeholders have been sharing for the past few weeks towards the June 3 celebrations. “It started on the 15th of April 2026 and initially it’s going to run until the 30th of June,” Kitayimbwa said. “We’re going to have an integrated national campaign that leads up to the celebrations and the days after.”
He also indicated that other media organizations will be welcome to cover the proceedings, however the MOU gives Vision Group advantage over them except for Family TV. “In this MOU, we have made exception for the provincial TV station.” He explained that this provision was made because Family TV is the official Church of Uganda (COU) television station. “At the celebrations, Family TV will have the same access privileges as Vision Group to Archives and sources at all times,” Kitayimbwa stressed.
During the same event, Kitayimbwa publicly confirmed receipt of a contribution made by the government of Uganda towards the celebrations for which he expressed gratitude. “Before the end of February, the government had released to us it’s promised contribution of two billion shillings for these organizations.”
Kitayimbwa also revealed that the MOU has created room for UCU and Vision Group to jointly look for partners and sponsors towards the celebrations. These will be engaged in three categories, Platinum sponsors contributing between shs100 and shs200m, gold sponsors between shs 50m and 100m, and Silver sponsors contributing from shs 20 to shs 50m. Each package comes with separate privileges which have been detailed in the MOU. “When you are a platinum sponsor, you’re going to get branding privileges at the site, as well as with Vision Group,” Kitayimbwa said.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Silas Omara who is also the Acting Commissioner for Traffic Operations reaffirmed the will of the police to offer security to pilgrims during this period. “We expect pilgrims to start moving, especially those from upcountry and outside the country and we’re ready to offer them the necessary security to ensure everybody arrives safely.”
