Over 200 pilgrims from Kabale Diocese have started their journey to Namugongo Shrine ahead of the June 3, Uganda Martyrs Celebration.
The pilgrims drawing from Kisoro, Rubanda, Kabale districts, all under Kabale diocese reported at Kabale diocesan headquarters on Saturday evening and later had a holy mass at St Mary’s Rushoroza Cathedral in Southern division of Kabale Municipality.
The Pilgrims were flagged off today morning at 5:00 Am after a holy mass at Rushoroza Cathedral in Kabale Municipality according to Alphonse Biraho, a catechist at Christ the King Catholic Church parish in Kabale town who doubles as the chairperson of Pilgrims in Kabale diocese.
According to Alphonse, Uganda Martyrs Celebration is a worth celebrated day where Christians draw near to God renewing and strengthening their Christianity in him.
Alphonse says that trekking to Namugongo shrine will remind Christians of the suffering that the Uganda Martyrs went through. He is optimistic that the pilgrims will use this year’s pilgrimage in praying for cooperation and togetherness for the families and society they live in.
ASP Abel Ruganza, the Kabale district police commander, asked pilgrims to have discipline and trek as a team, cooperating with police to have a successful pilgrimage until they reach Namugongo shrine for colorful celebrations.
Baguma Yahaya, O/c traffic, Kabale station asked the pilgrims to trek with discipline and respect traffic rules and regulations to avoid road accidents.
This year’s celebrations will be guided by the theme: “Lord increase our Faith”, which is extracted from Luke 17.5.
The annual celebration was set aside in honor of the martyrdom on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, the then King of Buganda. The Uganda Martyrs were killed between 1885 and 1887 for converting to Christianity.
