700 Nebbi foot pilgrims make first stopover in Pakwach

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The over 700-foot pilgrims from Nebbi Catholic Diocese, who were flagged off Wednesday, May 15, 2024, morning on a long gruelling walk to the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo have reached Pakwach Town.

This was their first stopover where they spent the first night of their Journey before they resume walking.

The Pilgrims who set off from Nebbi were joined by pilgrims from Pakwach Deaconry.

Some of them spent the night in the Parish Hall awaiting the arrival of their colleagues from Nebbi Catholic Diocese for the journey to Namugongo Martyrs Shrines.

Despite enduring mosquito bites and chilly weather due to heavy overnight rainfall, they maintained their faith to overcome the challenges of the about 500-kilometre journey.

The foot pilgrims from Nebbi Catholic Diocese in Uganda's northern region hope to reach Namugongo six days ahead of the Uganda Martyrs' Day celebrations.

The celebrations held every June 3 in commemoration of the first Christian Martyrs in Uganda, draw thousands of pilgrims from within the country and abroad.

The Diocese of Nebbi will animate this year’s Catholic celebrations, having last done so in 2007.

In Nebbi, the sizeable group of pilgrims began their quest at Namrwodu Catholic parish in Nebbi municipality and were flagged off by Archbishop-elect of Gulu Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Nebbi, Raphael P'Mony Wokorach.

If all goes as planned, the group is expected to arrive at the Namugongo Catholic shrine on May 28.

On their journey of faith, the pilgrims are being accompanied by some consecrated men and women who are serving within the jurisdiction of Nebbi Diocese.

Before setting off, they underwent days of spiritual retreat at Namrwodu Catholic Parish to prepare them for this quest to Namugongo and other designated important places.

Fr Walter Wokorach, the diocesan youth chaplain of Nebbi district, explained that they will be having Mass at the different stopovers on their way to Kampala.