Bishop Willem Christians, from Keetmanshoop Diocese in Namibia, said their visit to the place at a time when they are discussing the future of the Church in Africa reminded them to keep their faith amid the challenges of the time. Bishop Willem noted that Namugongo is bacon of faith across Africa.
The Catholic Shrines Rector Rev Fr Vincent Lubega notes that they have found it important to run quality tests to ensure that pilgrims don’t consume contaminated water. He adds test sample have already been taken by a team of experts from National Water and Sewerage Cooperation-NWSC.
Two teenage children from Lira Catholic Diocese have walked to Namungongo Martyrs Shrine to pray to God, through the martyrs, to guide them through their education. Gloria Ayao has a single parent who has no money to pay her tuition. She wants to become a nun. Flavia Ejang lost both parents while still a toddler. Raised by her grandmother, she wants to become a teacher.
President Yoweri Museveni has said that Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and the Uganda Martyrs are uniting East Africa. Museveni says many pilgrims who trek from different East African countries to Namugongo Shrine to commemorate the Uganda Martyrs Day and Julius Nyerere Day represent a true meeting of the regions ordinary citizen.
Pilgrims from Kanungu district, who are among the first to arrive at Namugongo this week, have recounted their 13-day-journey, sharing stories of faith, perseverance and dedication. The pilgrims, comprising of 17 men and 30 women, walked the 450km journey to attend this years Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations. The journey started at 3am on May 16 at Makiro Deanery in Kanungu town council and climaxed at 7pm on Monday, May 30 at Namungongo Shrine.
This years catholic liturgy celebrations are organized by Kiyinda Mityana diocese while Namirembe Diocese with a consortium of 300 churches is leading the mass at Nakiyanja-the Anglican Church shrine.
Ben Ssemuka, the Namugongo Parish Treasurer, says they will restrict the number of the vendors because of the limited space following the expansion works.
