Every year, on 15th February, a few pilgrims descend upon Bugoma to celebrate the first spot where the Catholic Missionaries landed on Ugandan soil. To honour this event, many Christians have been gathering at the site for a holy mass to solemnly recall and remember the moment the missionaries set foot on Ugandan soil and also the moment they arrived in the Kingdom of Buganda.
This year, the Ssese Islands Tourism Development Association (SITDA) is partnering with the Catholic church and the Uganda Tourism Board to celebrate and promote the Mapeera site in Bugoma - Buggala, Ssese Islands on Sunday 14th February 2016. Mapeera site is the spot where Fr. Simeon Lourdel, who was later nicknamed “Mapeera” and Brother Amans first touched Ugandan soil when they landed at the site to spend the night of 15th February 1879 on their way to Lubaga to meet with Kabaka Muteesa 1, seeking permission to set up a camp in Buganda to preach, teach and spread Christianity.
We invite all christians, believers and pilgrims to come to Ssese Islands for the grand ceremony of Mapeera Day slated for Sunday 14th February 2016 (Valentine's Day). Celebrations shall start from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th February.
You're all welcome!