Martyrs' shrine man-made lake fenced off

By Juliet Lukwago    

NAMUGONGO - The task of building an enclosure around the Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine man-made lake in preparation for this year’s Martyrs’ Day has been accomplished.

Gervase Ndyanabo, who is part of the team tasked to prepare for the June 3 event (next Monday), says enclosing the lake was for security reasons.

This year, Mbarara archdiocese was charged with organizing the main prayers which attract hundreds of pilgrims from all walks of life to Namugongo.

Earlier on Tuesday, Catholic and Anglican leaders conducted prayers at the shrine.

For the faithful who throng the sacred location every year to remember the Uganda Martyrs killed towards the close of the 19th century, sealing off the lake will be accepted as a way of conserving the holy waters.

The perimeter wall that surrounds the water is intended to restrain people from dumping objects in the water. Open access to the manmade lake’s water before has seen some people throw in it polythene bags, bottles, food stuffs, and more.

And some pilgrims who pay frequent visits to the shrine have found the sight of such objects in the water as that of disrespect from the people doing just that.

“Some people carry some of this water to drink, with the belief that it is blessed water,” says one Christian. “So finding it littered with objects is such a turn-off and a sign of disrespect.”

As final touches are made, with just under a week left to the main event, pilgrims have started out on their journey to Namugongo.

The organizing committee has called for cooperation of the masses with security personnel to guarantee the safety of all.

Nuns inspect the area. This was during the painting (with yellow and white) of the fence. PHOTO/Juliet Lukwago

Police came out last week to warn food vendors to stay away from the shrine, saying that there will be designated food selling points at the site. The security body also made it plan clear – that they will go as far as monitoring even areas surrounding the shrine.

The organizing group announced tentative arrangements for the pilgrims to follow when they arrive at the shrines. There will be two entrances into the premises that would be conspicuously marked. 

Medical safety

Ndyanabo, who chairs the Kampala team of the organizing archdiocese, said they will work closely with the security personnel to ensure that the occasion is a success.

The two men tasked to head the medical team – Dr Vincent Bagambe and Dr Orach – say that pilgrims will receive medical services from doctors and nurses set to be on stand-by.

Twelve ambulances from Kisubi, Nsambya and Mulago [referral] hospitals plus St John’s Ambulance will handle emerencies and simple cases from doctors and nurses – incase of any.

The medical reception points will be strategically positioned to facilitate easy access.

Starting June 1 (this Saturday), the Uganda Red Cross Society will deploy at the shrine to attend to any situations of medical nature, according to Dr Bagambe.