Over 700 Pilgrims To Trek 450 Kilometers From Nebbi To Namugongo

At least 724-foot pilgrims from Nebbi Catholic diocese are expected to take part in the customary journey of faith to Namugongo Martyrs’ shrine ahead of this year’s Martyr celebrations on June 3, 2024.

The foot pilgrims drawn from the 22 Parishes of the diocese are expected to embark on the about 450 kilometers long journey on May 15th, 2024.

Martyrs sculptures at the Anglican Martyrs Shrine Namugongo depicting the Ugandan Christian martyrs in remembrance of their faith and sacrifice, a central feature of the shrine that attracts pilgrims during Uganda Martyrs Day commemorations.

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Pakwach Catholic Parish has the highest number of Foot Pilgrims 184, followed by Nebbi Cathedral Parish with 110 Foot Pilgrims, Zumbo Catholic Parish with 87 Foot Pilgrims and Orussi Catholic Parish 77, according to information obtained from the organizers.

Rev. Fr. Emmauel Ocokuru, the official diocesan spokesperson for the martyr’s day celebrations disclosed that the foot pilgrims from Warr, Nyapea, Nebbi, Uleppi and Angal Deaneries are expected to report at the Diocesan Centre on May 14, 2024. According to Fr. Ocokuru, the other foot pilgrims from Pakwach will join from the Pakwach Parish Centre.

“Those from Pakwach Deanery to converge at Pakwach Parish Centre and await those from the Diocesan Centre,” said Fr. Ocokuru.

Each year, Christians of various walks of life embark on a pilgrimage to Namugongo to honor the memory of 45 Christian converts (22 Catholics and 23 Protestants) who were martyred between 1885 and 1886 under the command of Kabaka Mwanga II the then King of Buganda.

Fr. Nerris Oyirwoth, the general day celebration secretary of the central organising committee for this year’s Martyrs day celebration explains that besides the foot pilgrims a total of 2,102 other pilgrims from the diocese are expected to attend this year’s martyr’s day celebration.

He further notes that the foot pilgrims will be officially flagged off by His Grace Raphael p’Mony Wokorach, the Diocesan Administrator of Nebbi Catholic Diocese at Uganda Martyrs Chapel, Namrwodho-Nebbi Cathedral Parish.

This year’s celebrations to be animated by the Nebbi Catholic Diocese will be commemorated under the theme “But as for me, and my household we shall serve the Lord,” taken from the book of Joshua 24:15.