First group of foot pilgrims to arrive in Namugongo 2023

By Francis Jjunju

21^st May 2023

The first group of foot pilgrims from St. Kaggwa Parish in Bushenyi district Mabarara Archdiocese has arrived in Kampala at the Good Samaritan Sisters Bakateyamba Home Nalukolongo.

A group of 25 is led by the 98- year -old Bernardo Tibyangye a retired teacher from Bushenyi and the eldest among the pilgrims and he is making his 51^st time to Namugongo to celebrate Uganda Martyrs Day.

The group set off from St. Andrea Kaggwa on 11^th May 2023 and has trekked over 500 kilometers using the longer route through Ssembabule to make it to Kampala where they arrived at Nalukolongo on the evening of 20^th May 2023.

They wanted to make it possible to reach Namugongo early enough in fear of failing to take pilgrimage after hearing of the collapse of Katonga Bridge and subsequent closure.

According to Rev. Sr. Annet Mugisha of the Good Samaritan sisters, they received the group at around 6 pm Saturday and are taking care of them until Sunday evening 21^st May when they will set off to the Catholic Shrine Namugongo.

They arrived with swollen legs, worn-out and in dire need for something to eat and drink and ointment which the religious sisters managed to do.

Sr.  Mugisha appealed to any well-wisher to support them with flour, sugar and water which are highly needed to help the foot pilgrims to regain strength when they arrive at Nalukolongo.

This year’s 3^rd June Uganda Martyrs day celebrations at the Catholic Shrine Namugongo is to be led by Jinja diocese under the theme; “Lord increase our Faith”