More than 200 pilgrims walk to Namugongo

OYAM.

At least 275 Catholic and Anglican pilgrims have reached Loro Sub-county, Oyam District, as they continue their long trek to Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, ahead of this year’s June 3 Martyrs Day celebrations.

The pilgrims left Lira Town on Tuesday night to walk more than 384km to Wakiso-based Namugongo Martyrs Shrine.
Flagging off the pilgrims on Tuesday at 9pm, Bishop Joseph Franzelli of Lira Catholic Diocese said: “It is your faith that will guide you through the journey.”

The pilgrims, comprising mostly women and youth, hail from Oyam, Apac, Kole, Dokolo, Alebtong and Lira districts.

The pilgrims, led by Mr Alfred Okello, first fasted for several days at their respective homes before converging at Lira Cathedral, where they started the long journey.

A pilgrim, Mr Vincent Odongo, said on Tuesday: “We are at Loro Alidi, about 20 kilometres from Loro Trading Centre where we are going to spend a night.”

He added that Diima Trading Centre, Kiryandongo District, will be their next resting ground.

The pilgrims are walking long distance as a sign of devotion to those that were martyred.

“Most of us have weaknesses and problems and that is why they are walking to Namugongo, to look for solutions,” Mr Odongo said, explaining that those problems would be sorted out depending on the pilgrims’ faith.

Pamela Aceng, 56, who is trekking for the eighth time to Namugongo, said God always answers their prayer when they go to Namugongo.

“I was involved in a fatal accident in 2003, taken to hospital and discharged but I felt something was not yet right so I went to Namugongo and right now I am very healthy,” she said.