📷 Jinja Road traffic halted as Mbarara pilgrims are served refreshments
The army men and police stopped traffic from either side until the pilgrims were served and allowed them to continue with their trek.
The security men asked the singing pilgrims to wait as the company workers crossed the road with the refreshments and made sure everyone was served. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
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UGANDA MARTYRS DAY
KAMPALA - Traffic along Jinja Road in Kampala was Friday put to a standstill for some minutes after the army and police officers who were escorting pilgrims from Mbarara and Lyantonde made a stopover in the middle of the road to pick up yellow bananas and other refreshments from some Good Samaritans.
Car and General management had stocked refreshments including cold mineral water, sodas, glucose, and yellow bananas for pilgrims passing by for two days, Friday and Saturday.
The security men asked the singing pilgrims to wait as the company workers crossed the road with the refreshments and made sure everyone was served.
The army men and police stopped traffic from either side until they were served and allowed them to continue with their trek.
The pilgrims included 87-year-old Sister Angella Resitetuta Namatovu from Kijjukizo Parish in Lyantonde Town Council along Mbarara road, who looked weary but determined to complete the over 13kms she was remaining with to reach the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo, after walking for over 200km.
The group from Lyantonde started their journey on Saturday, May 25, 2024, and covered the journey for seven days. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)
The army men and police stopped traffic from either side until they were served and allowed them to continue with their trek.
The group from Lyantonde started their journey on Saturday, May 25, 2024, and covered the journey for seven days.
Another group came from St. Claret Nyabwina parish in Sheema district, Mbarara Archdiocese. One of the pilgrims, Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe said the group of 113 pilgrims left Sheema on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, and had walked for 10 days.
He said they did not have any problems apart from body aches and exhaustion. They had their last stopover at the Good Samaritan Sisters, Nalukolongo in Rubaga Division from where they made the final rest at Naalya Secondary School before arriving at Namugongo.
Dianne Mpande, the human resource, and administration manager for Car and General said since last year they had been serving refreshments to the pilgrims following a directive from the founders, Gidoomal Family based in Kenya.
“Most of us on the management are Christians and we value giving especially to pilgrims who sacrifice to walk such long journeys and need refreshments along the way,” she said. They serve the refreshments to different groups for two days.
“We liaise with the police to help us stop the traffic because we are in good working relationship with them, we thank all those who have dedicated their time and energy to recognize the Uganda Martyrs,” she said.
Below is a picture highlight as the trekking pilgrims were served refreshments along Jinja Road prior to thier arrival at Namugongo. All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba;
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