Pope Francis arrived minutes ago at the Namugongo protestant shrine-Nakiyanja where he is inspecting the martyrs museum led by ArchBishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda Stanley Ntagali.

Pope Francis waves to believers at Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine

The pope is blessing the Anglicans amidst cheers

8:58 a.m The pope waves to the cheering believers as he drives off to the Catholic shrine where he will celebrate a mass to mark the 50th anniversary of the canonisation of the Uganda martyrs

9:03 am The pope’s convoy approaches the Catholic shrine, believers cheer him in excitement

Presidential aspirants Amama Mbabazi and Kiiza Besigye at Namugongo Shrines

The President of Uganda H E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the first lady arrived almost an hour ago to Namugongo Shrine. Presidential aspirants Amama Mbabazi, Dr Kizza Besigye are also at the Shrine. South Sudan’s Salva Kiir and Mama Nyerere are also present.

9:10 a.m Pope’s team arrives in four vans to loud and frenzied cheers

The choir ushers in the pope as they sing “Matching together” a famous catholic hymn

9:23 a.m Bishops stand in a long procession waiting for the pope to join them so that the open air mass celebration at the Catholic martyrs shrine begins

9: 30 am the Pope joins the bishops as they walk to the altar

9: 52 am Afande Felix Kaweesi takes the second reading

10: 03 Pope is leading the mass in latin

The Kabaka of Buganda and Nnabagereka also in attendance

The pope is thanking the Martyrs for their contribution towards the catholic faith; ” they are a living testimony”

10: 19 am Believers take a moment of silence in reflection to the Holy Pope’s teaching

A lady receiving holy communion

After the ongoing homily at Namugongo, the Pontifex will head to meet 10,000 youth at Kololo.

11:22 a.m The Holy father concludes the mass at Namugongo Catholic Shrine, he will now be joining the youth at Kololo airstrip

POPE MEETS THE YOUTH AT KOLOLO AIRSTRIP

Multitudes are stationed at Kololo Airstrip awaiting the Pope, others who might not have access to Kololo stand on the streets hoping to have a glance at the Pope as he passes by on his way to Kololo.

Singer Bobi wine sings acapella about how memorable pope visit is to Uganda and Ugandans

3:14 Kololo mood switches to worship as pope is a few mins away

3: 17 The Holy father, Pope Francis’ convoy arrives at Kololo amidst cheers, applause and shouts.

3: 24 PM The pope kisses babies as he greets, and waves to the excited crowds

3:34 PM The pope is ushered to a well decorated tent where he will sit and later on address the youth

3:37 PM The pope is ushered in with a word of prayer to dedicate the session to God.

3:38 PM Entertainment break by the choir

3;47 PM Bishop Paul Ssemwogerere welcomes the pope, officials and all the youth in a brief speech

3:55 PM A 24 year old Nansumba, shares a testimony about how she lost her Parents to HIV/AIDS and gaining hope after her loss. “John 10 :10, God wants us to have life and have it abundantly” She quotes. she encourages the youth to go for blood check-up in order to know their HIV/AIDS status. She is later blessed by the Pope as she leaves the podium.

Esezza foundation for children with tumours in lutete use the pope visit to appeal to the generosity of Ugandans. Many are dropping money in box. Happening outside Kololo

Esezza foundation for children with tumours in lutete use the pope visit to appeal to the generosity of Ugandans. Monitor photo

4:10 PM Pope Francis takes on the podium to address the youth at Kololo Airstrip. He speaks in latin with an English translator

Pope: “I asked myself something, a negative experience, does it have a purpose in life? Yes

Many of us here have had negative experiences, there’s always a possibility of opening the door and rising to the future

Let us all try to imagine the suffering of Emmanuel, when he knew that he’s friends were being tortured, he has courage. Jesus was insulted, rejected and murdered, and by the power of God the father, he was risen

He can do the same in us with every single thing we experience, because Jesus is Lord”

Pope asks: “Are you ready to transform negative experiences into positivity? Pain into love, war into peace?”

If I can transform the negative to positive, I am triumphant in the Lord. That can only be done with the grace of Jesus.

4: 25 PM Pope jokes: The microphones are not working well, just like we don’t work well sometimes. Always remember you are people of the martyrs, in your veins runs the blood of martyrs, Jesus can change your life, Jesus can control your life into a life of service for others. Some of you might ask me, it there a magic formula? If you want Jesus, ask him to change your life

4: 30 PM Pope: Let Jesus into your lives, and when you let him in, he helps you to struggle with all kinds of problems. Always fight. Fight with desire, and fight with prayer. Are you going to fight? Youth respond: “Yeeeeeeees” Jesus can do everything, Jesus enters into our hearts, and changes our lives. He came to save us and gave his life.

Always remember you are people of the martyrs, in your veins runs the blood of martyrs. 
Pray that you never lose the desire in your hearts to pray. Do you agree? (Hail Mary is recited)

Pope: May the Father, Son & Holy Spirit bless you. And please, please, pray for me, I need it. Good bye. Ends speech.