Inside the night life of Martyrs Day pilgrims at Namugongo

This photo taken on May 30, 2023 shows a general view of a section of the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda, as pilgrims gathered for prayers on the night of May 30, 2023, ahead of the annual June 3 Martyrs Day. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

A catholic priest (standing left) prays and blesses devotee pilgrims on May 30, 2023 at the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

Pilgrims lie down during prayers at a tomb effigy at the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on the night of May 30, 2023. The effigies were erected in remembrance of about 45 Ugandan Martyrs who were executed during a persecution of Christians under Buganda Kingdom's Kabaka Mwanga orders between 1885-1887. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

Pilgrims are seen sleeping in open space at around 9pm inside the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on the night of May 30, 2023. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

A man vends merchandise under a makeshift tent nearby the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on the night of May 30, 2023. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

This photo taken on May 30, 2023 shows the road from around the Kyaliwajala township round about, sretching about 200metres to the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI  

Pilgrims pray in front of a tomb effigy at the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on the night of May 30, 2023. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

A general of people sheltering under trees in the compound of the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on the night of May 30, 2023, ahead of the annual June 3 Martyrs Day. Thousands of people, including foreign nationals, started pilgrimaging to the holy site about two-three weeks ago. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI 

Merchandise are seen at a make-shift stall outside the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on the night of May 30, 2023. The annual June 3 Martys Day offers dozens of business opportunities for traders and service providers. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

People watch on in prayer as their fellow pilgrims rest at the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on the night of May 30, 2023. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

A man gestures as he poses for a photo in his merchandise under a make-shift tent nearby the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on the night of May 30, 2023. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

A male pilgrim holds a candle as he prays at the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on the night of May 30, 2023. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

Pilgrims pray in front of a tomb effigy at the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on the night of May 30, 2023. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

Vendors sleep next to their merchandise at the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on the night of May 30, 2023 ahead of the annual June 3 Martyrs Day. The celebration attracts over 1 million people from different parts of Uganda and the rest of the world, presenting business opportunities for traders. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

A shop attendant vends jerrycans on Namugongo along the main road leading to the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on the night of May 30, 2023. At the shrine, believers often use the jerrycans to fetch 'Holy Water' thought to perform or aid miracles. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

Uganda Police and UPDF officers surveil Namugongo and its vicinity amidst heightened security near the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on May 31, 2023, ahead of the annual June 3 Martyrs Day. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

Uganda Police officers surveil Namugongo and its vicinity amidst heightened security near the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on May 31, 2023, ahead of the annual June 3 Martyrs Day. PHOTO/ISAAC KASAMANI

A member of Uganda's military police unit (red top) walks past thousands of pilgrims who were being checked by security officials to access the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on May 31, 2023. PHOTO/ ISAAC KASAMANI 

Thousands of pilgrims queue as they are checked to access the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on May 31, 2023. PHOTO/ ISAAC KASAMANI 

A Ugandan woman queues amongst thousands of pilgrims as she waits to be checked by security officials to enter the Namugongo Martyrs Catholic shrine in Wakiso District, central Uganda on May 31, 2023. PHOTO/ ISAAC KASAMANI

Members of a procession of believers from Jinja Diocese are seen approaching Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine on May 31, 2023, ahead of the annual June 3 Martyrs Day. Over 6,000 pilgrims trekked over 75kms from Jinja (Eastern Uganda) to the shrine in Wakiso District (central Uganda). PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

Members of a procession of believers from Jinja Diocese are seen approaching Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine on May 31, 2023, ahead of the annual June 3 Martyrs Day. Over 6,000 pilgrims trekked over 75kms from Jinja (Eastern Uganda) to the shrine in Wakiso District (central Uganda). PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI