Gulu pilgrims finally arrive in Wii-Gweng ahead of St Janani Luwum Day

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After five days of trekking, foot pilgrims from the Diocese of Northern Uganda have finally arrived in Wii-Gweng, Mucwini, ahead of the 49th commemoration of St Janani Luwum.

The 186 pilgrims who set off from St Philip’s Cathedral in Mican, Bardege-Layibi Division, Gulu city, on February 9, 2026, covered 114 kilometres and reached Wii-Gweng, Mucwini on Saturday (February 14) at around 4.30pm.

They arrived joyfully, singing “St Janani Luwum, My Hero”, a song by Bosmic Otim, a Gulu-based artist.

Florence Lamunu Komakech, a 74-year-old resident of Pader Town Council who joined the pilgrimage from Acholibur in Pader on Thursday, thanked God for granting them a safe journey and enabling them to reach their destination.

Robert Odong, a 68-year-old pilgrim from Panykworo in Bungatira subcounty, Gulu district, began the journey on Tuesday morning and has now been trekking for 11 years.

He said his reason for this year’s pilgrimage is to thank God for the gift of life, to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to honour Archbishop Luwum for standing firm among religious and political leaders in condemning injustices and human rights abuses committed during the regime of former President Idi Amin.

The team leader of the foot pilgrims, Rev. Francis Odokonyero, told Radio Rupiny that the journey was smooth, with no major challenges recorded despite the absence of an escort from the Uganda Red Cross, which had accompanied them in previous years. He noted that some first-time pilgrims experienced swollen legs.

He also revealed that the number of pilgrims had exceeded their initial budget.

“When we left St Philip’s, we were few in number. Now we have grown to 302 people because many joined us along the way. It is now our responsibility to transport them back to their respective homes. The challenge is that we have only one truck. If we could get three more trucks, it would help. We need about two million shillings to ensure all the pilgrims return home safely and happily,” he said.

Meanwhile, by press time, their counterparts from Lango, who set off from All Saints Cathedral in Boroboro, Lira, on the 11th, had reached Kitgum en route to Wii-Gweng.

According to their team leader, Dickens Ogwal, the number of pilgrims from Lango increased from 55 to 72, and they expect to reach Wii-Gweng between 1.00pm and 2.00pm.

“We are currently in Kitgum, heading to Wii-Gweng. We are a team of 72 members drawn from Kitgum, West Lango Diocese, and mostly from the Diocese of Lango. The majority of the pilgrims are women. Everyone is okay, people are laughing, dancing, and we are set for tomorrow,” Ogwal said.

Hundreds of believers are expected to attend the 49th commemoration of St Janani Luwum at Wii-Gweng village, Mucwini subcounty in Kitgum district.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Anchored in Christ for Peace, Unity and Stability” taken from Ephesians 2:14-17.

The main celebrant will be the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rev. Dr Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, while the main preacher will be the Rt Rev. Dr Ashley Null, Bishop of the Diocese of North Africa.