10, 11 Years Old Children Join Foot Pilgrim From Lira to Namugongo

A 10-year-old has joined hundreds of foot pilgrims from Lira diocese walking to Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo on a quest to someday become the speaker of Parliament in future.

The Martyrs Shrine has in recent years grown into an acclaimed international pilgrimage site that gathers people from around the world. However, due to the covid-19 restrictions, the foot pilgrims from Lira Diocese did not visit the shrine in the last two years.

This year almost 500 foot pilgrims drawn from all the Catholic Parishes in Lira Diocese are back on their annual event. They are joined by Winnie Atim, a primary four pupil of St Francis primary school in Ajuir County, Alebtong district.

Atim who is walking with her grandmother acknowledges the hardship she is about to endure but is ready to face the hurdle, praying for good health for her grandmother who will in turn support her through school so that she can become the speaker of parliament future. 

Luo byte:

//Cue in: “Atye awot Namugongo…//

Cue out: … amito bedo speaker.”//

Miloret Ekit, Atim’s grandmother says she left her granddaughter at home but was shocked to see her among the pilgrims gathered at the Lira Ordination Ground on Monday morning.

Ekit who says she has been struggling to raise her granddaughter ever since her mother went back to school believes that with a strong faith, Atim's dream of becoming a speaker will come true.

Luo byte:

//Cue in: “Atini totere obin…//

Cue out: … anyimere bed atye.”//

Another child walking to Namugongo from Lira Diocese is 11-year-old Emmanuel Abila, a Christian of Ngetta Parish who is praying for healing for himself. He is being accompanied by both his aunt and uncle through the journey.

Abila was diagnosed with Epiphora, commonly known as watering eyes which causes his tears to flow uncontrollably especially when he tries to read books. He believes that if he walks to Namugongo, he will be healed just like his aunt who got healed on the way to the shrine a few years ago.

Luo byte:

//Cue in: “Atye awot lego…//

Cue out: … yee atek atye kede.”//

The foot pilgrims have begun their journey from the Ordination Ground today Tuesday 17th with the hope of reaching Namugongo before the annual June 3rd celebration. They have different petitions which they are going to present to the Martyrs in prayers.

Luo Voxpop on Namugongo journey:

//Cue in: “Lego na tye…//

Cue out: … atye dok igupu.”//

Uganda Martyrs' Day is a national public holiday in Uganda marked on June 3rd to commemorate the 45 martyrs, both Catholic and Anglican, who were killed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, then King of Buganda between 1885 and 1886.