Pilgrims to wear masks, wash hands to access Martyrs Shrine – Church

By Gideon Peter Ssebulime

30^th May 2022

Catholic Church has directed all pilgrims to wear masks and observe other Standard Operating Procedures –SOPs at Namugongo to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Addressing the journalists the Uganda Catholic Secretariat in Nsambya, Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Muhiirwa the Bishop of Fort Portal diocese says that nobody will be allowed to access Namugongo Catholic Martyrs shrine without a mask adding that hand washing centers will be available almost everywhere.

Two months back the Ministry of Health relaxed the SOPs saying Covid-19 had drastically reduced in Uganda.

Regarding the protection of the environment, Bishop Muhiirwa said Namugongo will observe the Kaveera free environment campaign  launched by the chairperson of the Uganda Episcopal Conference Dr Joseph Anthony Zziwa in regard to Pope’s call through Laudato see in 2017 adding that dust bins have been placed in different places to ensure cleanliness.

For the foot pilgrims from Fort Portal diocese numbering over 2000, by Monday they were had reached Busega in Rubaga division from Nswanjere Seminary where they had camped on Sunday while over 1,000 others from Masaka are at Mitalamaria Parish resting all heading to Namugongo Catholic Shrine.

Meanwhile, updates from Namugongo, over 2300 pilgrims from USA, Kampala, Mbarara, Gulu and Kasana Luwero have already arrived at Namugongo Catholic Shrine according to Fr. Joseph Mukasa Muwonge.

Some of them are staying at the shrine grounds while others are residing in hotels.

Fr Muwonge has also revealed that president Museveni will be the chief guest at Namugongo catholic shrine on Wednesday during late President, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere Mass.

He however reminded Pilgrims to be vigilant and to watch out against scrupulous people who have gone to Namugongo for other reasons.