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 PILGRIMAGE TO NAMUGONGO 

The large group of Nebbi Catholic Diocese foot pilgrims woke up Friday at around 5am to a wet morning as they prepared for Mass before hitting the road again on their quest to Namugongo for the June 3 Uganda Martyrs' Day celebrations.

Unfazed by the relentless rain, they set out at around 7am.

Many slapped on makeshift raincoats — made from polythene bags or plastic sheets — in a show of determined ingenuity to remain on course.

For this group, it has been a week of resilient walking, right from Nebbi district in Uganda's north. Interestingly, this was the first time the skies had opened up on them, testing their resolve.

But the foot pilgrims aptly responded with the sort of commitment that has seen them chalk off kilometre after kilometre on their journey of faith.

In fact, there was a marked increase in their pace under the rain on Friday.

Before 9am, they had already covered more than six kilometres from Kakooge in Nakasongola district.

They spent the night at St Jude Parish in Kakooge after a laborious walk on Thursday that saw them cover about 37 kilometres.

They reached Kakooge town from Ssaasira town just after 3pm, having covered a distance almost twice as long as the previous day's journey from Migyera to Ssaasira. 

Exhaustion was evident, and the group laboured to reach their designated resting stop for much-need rest and shuteye.

'God is protecting us'

As we walked in the rain, I caught up with a few pilgrims.

One of them is 70-year-old Mary Osandro, who said she was not scared of the rain, but rather happy because it was a blessing from God.

“I am happy. The rain can’t make me sick because our good Lord is protecting us. He has brought us this far,” she said.

The septuagenarian said she is trekking because she loves the Uganda Martyrs — after all, they intercede for her every time she is praying.

Another reason Osandro embarked on the trek to Namugongo was to pray for her children to get money and for her family to get more prosperous and become God-fearing.

Another female pilgrim, who is on this pilgrimage to dedicate her family to God, agreed that the rain was a blessing and a sign that they are determined to reach Namugongo. 

On the pilgrims’ safety, the Officer in Charge of Kakooge, Assistant Inspector of Police (ASP) Alex Mwijukye, said the pilgrims had slept well and were in good condition to walk to Luwero.

He advised the pilgrims to work as a team in case they have any challenges so that they can be addressed immediately.

Next stop: Luwero

Initially, according to the route programme, the pilgrims were supposed to retire for the day's journey in Wobulenzi, but the programme was adjusted. 

Instead, they expect to rest at Kasana-Luwero Catholic Diocese in Luwero district after covering a distance of 28 kilometres from Kakooge.

It is understood they decided to reduce the distance because the pilgrims had started getting weary amid the tough weather conditions.