United in Faith: The Way of the Cross Brings Ugandan Christians Together
MUKONO, Uganda — As Good Friday approaches, anticipation has built across Uganda as Christians across all denominations prepare to take part in the Way of the Cross, an annual public expression of faith, unity and spiritual reflection.
Organized by the Uganda Joint Christian Council, this sacred procession brings together Catholics, Anglicans and Orthodox believers under their umbrella of UJCC in a powerful reenactment of Jesus’ final journey to Calvary.
The Way of the Cross takes place in Kampala and major towns across the country, including Jinja, Mukono, Masaka, Gulu and Mbarara. Thousands gather in the streets to walk in Christ’s footsteps, singing hymns, praying and carrying a large wooden cross passed among bishops, clergy and politicians. This act symbolizes Christ’s suffering, sacrifice and triumph over death.
“When one bearer grows weary, another steps in, evoking the biblical moment when Simon of Cyrene helped Jesus carry the Cross,” said Paddy Nsobya a member of the Anglican Church of Uganda and a regular participant in the Way of the Cross processions in Mukono.
For Uganda’s Christians, the Way of the Cross is more than a ritual — it is a powerful affirmation of faith, an expression of gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice and a moment of deep collective introspection. By uniting believers across denominations and walks of life, the procession continues to embody the core message of Easter: In Christ, there is redemption, unity and the promise of eternal life. The Way of the Cross processions are common not only among Ugandan Christians but also in many other parts of the world where there are significant numbers of dedicated Christians.
In some processions, a volunteer often portrays Jesus, even enduring symbolic whippings — an intense reminder of the pain Christ bore for humanity’s salvation. While the scenes can be dramatic, they are meant to stir reflection, not fear, and to awaken in participants and onlookers alike a renewed sense of faith, empathy and spiritual purpose, organizers said.
Beyond personal devotion, the event also serves as a powerful platform for national introspection. Against the backdrop of social and economic hardship, church leaders seize the moment to call for healing, reconciliation and renewed hope.
“This is an opportunity for us as church leaders to raise our voice together as we advise government on topical issues affecting the country,” said Rev. Dr. Richard Mulindwa, the Anglican Church’s relations manager at Uganda Christian University.
This Friday’s procession holds special significance as Uganda grapples with political tension and uncertainty ahead of the 2026 general elections, a season often marred by unrest and violence.
Although the Uganda Joint Christian Council was established in the 1960s to unite the three traditional Christian denominations, joint Christian activities like the Way of the Cross procession are a more recent development.
Processions in Mukono and Kampala
Among the most prominent of these processions is the one held each year in Mukono. On Good Friday, the town comes to a near standstill as hundreds of faithful — young and old, rich and poor — fill the streets. Led by bishops from the Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox churches, the procession begins with prayers and reflections at St. Paul Catholic Parish Church in Wantoni.
From there, the faithful set off on a two-mile journey toward the Mukono Anglican Diocesan headquarters, their voices rising in song and prayer, their hearts heavy with remembrance.
As the procession winds through the bustling town, traffic halts along the busy Kampala-Jinja highway. Onlookers line the streets — some joining the walk, others standing silently in reverence. The atmosphere is one of unity, humility and spiritual renewal as the community collectively remembers the Passion of Christ. The event culminates in speeches by bishops and local politicians, who address pressing national concerns — including corruption, poverty, gender-based violence and political unrest. The clergy also urge the nation to embrace repentance, unity and perseverance, reminding Ugandans that even in times of trial, strength can be drawn from faith.
Historically, each Christian denomination in Uganda conducted its separate Way of the Cross, leading to logistical confusion and diminishing the sense of unity. However, in recent years, under the guidance of the UJCC, churches have joined forces to hold united processions — an embodiment of Christ’s vision of a single Christian family.
Outside Mukono, the largest procession takes place in the capital city, Kampala. There, all three archbishops — Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox —participate in a grand display of ecumenical solidarity. The route often begins either at Rubaga Cathedral, the seat of the Catholic Church in Uganda, or Namirembe Cathedral, the Anglican Church’s headquarters. From there, the procession weaves through the city center, drawing crowds and temporarily halting traffic in several neighborhoods. The event also attracts top national leaders, including ministers and members of parliament.
This year, Easter will be celebrated on the same day by Christians across all denominations on April 20 — a rare quirk of the calendar that some see as an opportunity to set aside centuries-old disputes over the date of Jesus’ resurrection.
The Rev. Prof. Grace Lubaale of Kyambogo University said the three Christian denominations have been able to collaborate during the Way of the Cross because they all share the belief that “Jesus died on Friday on the cross for our sins was buried and resurrected on the third day.”
Additional reporting by Yasiri J. Kasango
John Semakula, an award-winning journalist and alumnus of the Poynter Institute, is based in Mukono, Uganda.