A total of 133 Foot pilgrims from Bwera and Katwe in Kasese Catholic diocese, have yesterday May 18, 2023 started their pilgrimage to Namugongo, ahead of the Uganda martyrs day celebration.
The Pilgrimage
Every June 3, Christians all over the world endeavor to make pilgrimage to Namugongo, to commemorated the 45 Uganda martyrs who were killed primarily by Kabaka Mwanga because they refused to denounce Christianity as their religion.
Notably, a group of 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican converts to Christianity in the historical kingdom of Buganda, now part of Uganda, were executed between 31 January 31, 1885 and January 27, 1887.
The foot pilgrims
Accordingto Stephen Nsamba, the coordinator of the Kasese team, a total of 73 pilgrims have come from Bwera whereas the 60 hail from Katwe.
According to Nsamba, the group’s first stopover is Bukangara parish, Muhokya, Kasese diocese where they expect to join another group.
Kasunganyanja will be next stop over and they expect to reach Bukwali parish on May 22, this month, where they will join other foot pilgrims from Fort Portal Catholic diocese.
While Blessing them for the Journey, Bishop Acquirinus Kibira of Kasese diocese, called for the gift of forgiveness among families, fight against laziness and promotion of prayer among the pilgrims.
The Kasese group, becomes the first foot pilgrims group to set off in the Rwenzori region, and they are expected to walk a total distance of about 400 km to Namugongo.
Other groups
The Bugombwa foot pilgrims in Bundibugyo district, Fort Portal Catholic diocese, have also reportedly set off for their Journey to Namugongo earlier today morning.
According to their leader Juliet Kyakuwa, a total of 27 Christians from Bugombwa have set off and are expected to make the first stop over at Rwamabale.
Nyahuka pilgrims are thought to have also started their foot pilgrimage today
