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Every June 3, Christians gather at the Namugongo Catholic and Anglican shrines in Wakiso district to celebrate the 45 Uganda Martyrs who were executed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga between 1885 and 1887.
Twenty-two Catholic Martyrs were beatified on June 6, 1920, by Pope Benedict XV and they were declared saints on October 18, 1964, by Pope Paul VI in Rome.
Every year, thousands of pilgrims from around the world usually travel to Uganda for the June 3 pilgrimage. However, many Christians trek hundreds of kilometers to show their devotion to God and as homage to the faith and resilience of the martyrs.
Those who trek not only come from Uganda but even those from as far as Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania come on foot to attend the celebrations at Namugongo.
However, on their way to Namugongo they face a number of challenges, some get to Namugongo when they are very sick due to the long distances they walk while others are knocked dead by reckless drivers.
Yesterday a bus belonging to Perfect coaches rammed into the pilgrims from Masaka around Nsangi. According to police, these were identified as Olivia Nabakooza and Specioza Nambi were knocked dead around St Lawrence Nakati.
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“It is alleged that the driver of the Isuzu bus while traveling from the Nsangi direction on a slope, lost control of the vehicle, veering from his lane and tragically knocking the two pilgrims”- said Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigire in a statement.
Now NRM’s director of Communication and former Member of Parliament for Bunyole county East Emmanuel Dombo Lumala now suggests something that he thinks will be a long time solution to the accidents and deaths of the pilgrims on their way to Namugongo.
According to the faithful and government should have a discussion and start boarding vehicles than risking their lives on the roads for a number of days trekking to Namugongo.
“I feel bad every time I read about innocent pilgrims killed in accidents along the way to Namugongo. Isn’t this walking very risky for them? Isn’t it high time the faithfuls and govt had a discussion about the possibility of boarding vehicles instead? Just food for thought!”-Tweeted Dombo.
I feel bad every time I read about innocent pilgrims killed in accidents along the way to Namugongo. Isn't this walking very risky for them? Isn't it high time the faithfuls and govt had a discussion about the possibility of boarding vehicles instead? Just food for thought!
— Emmanuel Dombo (@emmanuel_dombo) June 1, 2023
Martyrs days celebrations will be held tomorrow at the Catholic Shrine Namugongo and the Anglican side in Nakiyanja with in the same vicinity. The catholic side is being animated by Jinja Diocese which comprises of all the districts of Busoga while the Anglican side will be animated by 10 Diocese from Eastern Uganda namely, Busoga, Central Busoga, Elgon, Bukedi among others.
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