Catholic faithful make pilgrimage to Namugongo shrine, Uganda

Busia, Saturday May 27 2023

KNA by Jael Nambanga/Felix Adhura

A section of Catholics from different parishes in Kenya have embarked on a pilgrimage to Uganda for the annual June 3rd Martyrs' Day celebrations that will be held at Namugongo shrine in Uganda.

Led by Kitale Catholic Parish Priest, Fr. Justus Oyugi, the faithful began their journey on May 12 this year.

Fr. Oyugi said that the cluster has been trekking for an average of 15 to 25 kilometres a day since the onset of their journey from Kitale.

“We started on the 12th this month and intend to finish our pilgrimage on the 1st next month by walking an average of 15 kilometers every day,” he said.

He added that they intend to reach Madira Forest by June 1, where they will pay tribute to the departed of one of the faithful who is said to have died on the journey of faith.

"We have reached the last Parish in Kenya and once we cross over to Uganda, we intend to cover between 32-40 kilometers per day,” he said, explaining that they are yet to cover 290 kilometres to their final destination.

The cleric further said that they will be joined by other Catholic faithful from Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, Kakamega and other regions on June 3.

Catechist Robert Osula said that during the pilgrimage, people fast and pray for their own problems and those of their country.

"When we walk long distances, we go hungry which leads to prayers that help in solving our own problems and that of our nation," he said.

Emily Nasimiyu from Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Makutano Kapenguria added that the reason for the pilgrimage is because of the journey of faith to encourage believers to know Christ through their faith and also to recognize the martyrs who died because of their Christian faith.

Even though they face challenges due to the long-distance trek, she explained that they never give up because the cross which is a symbol of Christ gives them strength that guides them in their journey of faith.

Her sentiments were echoed by Fidelis Nelima Mukhwana, a nun from the little sisters of St Francis who said that by journeying with faith, they get good results because God answers their prayers. "Through this journey, God answers our prayers because of our faith,” she said.

The martyrs’ day dates back to the 1st decade of Christian presence in the East African nation when 45 men aged between 14 to 50 years were killed by the king of Buganda between 1885 and 1887 because of their Christian faith.

 Courtesy ; K. N. A