'We shall make it': Pilgrimage to Namugongo a test of endurance

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 PILGRIMAGE  TO NAMUGONGO

Around this time every year, different groups of pilgrims set out on a journey to Namugongo in Wakiso district to celebrate the Uganda Martyrs Day.

While many travel from all corners of Uganda, others arrive from beyond the Ugandan borders. Collectively, these pilgrims are fuelled by faith on their quest to Namugongo, but individually, each one of them is willed on by specific inspiration.

Some cry out to the Lord to save them from their burdens, while others walk as a way of thanking God for being good to them. And maybe a handful do it for the love of adventure.

Since 2022, multimedia company Vision Group has been at the forefront of sharing the stories of pilgrims and their experiences while trekking to Namugongo. 

Two years ago, we trekked with pilgrims from the Catholic diocese of Fort Portal and in 2023, we joined pilgrims from the Catholic diocese of Jinja.

The pilgrimage from Fort Portal was a long and arduous one that saw us walk for nine long days. Not everyone could make it on foot; some had to be ferried in ambulances until Namugongo. Others, even in so much agony, refused the free transport and soldiered on.

I was inspired mostly by the elderly women who, unlike the youthful men and women, were mostly immersed in recitation of their rosaries and singing hymns of praise and worship. They walked at a slow but sure pace. Their dedication to the journey of faith was inspirational.

The trek from Jinja was a quick one; in just two days we were already at Namugongo.

This year, we are at it again. This time, with pilgrims from Nebbi Catholic Diocese in Uganda’s north. They were flagged off on Wednesday (May 15) by the Archbishop-elect of Gulu Ecclesiastical Province and the Bishop of Nebbi, Raphael P'Mony Wokorach.

On day one, they footslogged from Nebbi to Pakwach, covering a distance of about 51 kilometres. Considering the average distance covered by pilgrimages we have covered over the years, that was a huge distance for one day.

▪️  Nebbi foot pilgrims make first stopover in Pakwach

In an unusual incident the following day (Thursday), the pilgrims were transported in seven trucks from Pakwach to Karuma. The pilgrims had to pass through Murchison Falls National Park, which was risky due to potential encounters with wild animals.

On Friday, they set off from Karuma and arrived at St Joseph Catholic Church Bweyale in Kiryandongo district at about 6:30 pm.

The encounter

This time around, we did not start with the pilgrims from the flagoff point in Nebbi. Instead, we encountered them in Katulikire village in Kiryandongo, where they were catching a break and some getting first aid before proceeding to Bweyale.

When they resumed their journey, it was easy to notice that their energy tanks were still full – they walked fast, but in controlled lines, thanks to the Police and some volunteers from among them.

The long line of twos slalomed down the slopes from one corner to the other. Every time they crossed the road, traffic would come to a standstill, regulated by a traffic officer.

At every trading centre, bystanders were left in awe at the sight of the trekkers. Some ululated while others ran to the pilgrims and blessed them with money, drinks or foodstuff.

This lifted the already elevated spirits of the pilgrims even more; they sang at the top of their voices. While some resorted to jogging, others maintained the walking theme.

▪️  Fort Portal pilgrims close in on Namugongo

'God has been good to me'

I asked some pilgrims I was able to catch up with what motivated them to walk.

For Esther Nyewoyo, trekking to Namugongo is a way of thanking God for being good to her.

She said she had a spinal cord injury in 2019 and was at risk of never walking again, but even with treatment, she kept on her knees asking God to heal her. Today, she has fully recovered.

“There are so many things I want to give thanks to the Lord for. He has been good to me; I am walking to thank Him and also praying that he answers my prayers."

It is Nyewoyo's first ever foot pilgrimage to Namugongo. She admitted it is tough thus far, but that with God’s grace, they will manage.

“I feel some pain in my feet, but I am still able to walk. We have already covered a long distance which I had never covered before while walking. I am hopeful that we shall make it,” she said.

Derrick Athocon, another pilgrim, said he was “enjoying this journey of faith”. Just like Nywewoyo, this is his maiden trek to Namugongo.

He said all was well, but the welfare part was lacking. Although they walk as a unit, he said when it comes to eating, everyone has to fend for themselves.

At the parishes where they always stop for the night, they are only provided with tea. For anyone walking such long distances, a sizeable meal is important for energy.

“The only challenge is maybe inadequate food, but with faith, we shall manage. I have already spent about sh15,000. I don’t think I will have enough money to sustain me, but I believe God will provide for me,” said Athocon.

▪️  What do people earn by walking to Namugongo?

Pilgrims welfare

In a chat with the deputy head of the pilgrims, Festo Thugitho, he acknowledged that they were having an issue with food to provide for the pilgrims.

However, he pointed out that the pilgrims had been guided to move with their own money to sustain them during the journey.

Thugitho said some people only had transport for the return journey after the Martyrs Day celebration.

He said the issue of food was being discussed at the diocese and that they were yet to communicate the solution.

Thugitho said they had received some donations from wellwishers totalling about sh600,000. They will use this money to improve the welfare of the pilgrims while they wait to hear from the diocese. 

Who is trekking?

When the pilgrims were flagged off, it was reported that over 700 pilgrims were trekking to Namugongo, but after proper documentation, Thugitho authoritatively confirmed 520 walkers.

Of the 520 pilgrims, the eldest is 82 years while the youngest is 11 years old.

Three of the pilgrims have a disability: two are confined in their wheelchairs while one managed to walk.

To ensure safety, this large group from Nebbi is being escorted by Police and for first aid requirements, they have two ambulances — one from Red Cross and another from Angal St Luke’s Hospital, Nebbi.

On Saturday, they will set off from Bweyale and stop at Kigumba where they will rest and get back on the road the following day (Sunday) from Kigumba to Kafu.