UGANDA: Pilgrims Begin Trickling to Namugongo Ahead of Martyrs Day

NAMUGONGO, MAY 17, 2019 (CISA) – Pilgrims from the Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu on May 14 set off on pilgrimage to Namugongo Martyrs Shrine ahead of the June 3, Martyrs Day celebrations.

The pilgrims drawn from various parishes in the Archdiocese celebrated Mass on May 14 at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Gulu Town, where they received blessings, after which Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu, flagged them off to begin their journey.

“The choice you made to take the tedious journey to Namugongo is a demonstration that your faith in God is alive,” the Archbishop told the pilgrims.

The pilgrims are being led by Fr Lawrence Komakech, the Parish Priest of St Joseph’s Cathedral accompanied by health workers and an ambulance.

They also carried a giant wooden cross and a flag, bearing portraits of Namugongo Martyrs Shrine.

According to the Uganda Episcopal Conference the Archdiocese of Gulu will animate this year’s celebrations.

As part of preparations, the Archdiocese of Gulu on May 5 held a fundraising towards the preparations of the celebrations at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala. The target was Ush900Million needed to fund activities such as liturgy, health readiness, accommodation, transport, communication, and publicity, among others.

Pilgrims are expected from all corners of the world, while thousands are expected to walk from different parts of Uganda and East African region.