Herbert Mugagga
28 May 2011
A contingent of more than 10,000 pilgrims, both local and international are walking to Namugongo to take part in this year’s Martyr’s day celebrations scheduled for Friday next week.
The pilgrims, majority from the neighbouring countries of Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and southern Sudan, left their respective countries last month, while those from within started their journey at the start of this month, according to the Parish Priest Namugongo Catholic Martyrs’ Shrine, Fr. Deo Sonko.
The priest said the pilgrims have been walking at their own pace spending nights at churches on their way. Those travelling from Sudan are said to have set off from St. Charles Lwanga Koboko, where they were dropped off by vehicles from their country.
Other pilgrims walking to Namugongo, include those from Kasese, Gulu, Soroti, Masaka,Mbarara and Arua among other areas. The Parish Priest said there could be more walking to Namugongo but the number forwarded to the parish for preparation is 10,000.
He said the first batch is expected to arrive at Namugongo starting tomorrow. Mr Matia Mulumba, a pilgrim said he decided to come earlier than usual so he could have enough time to pray and visit all the sites were the martyrs were killed.
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10,000 Pilgrims Walk to Namugongo Ahead of Martyrs’ Day