Thousands gather for Martyrs’ Day
Jun 02, 2009
THOUSANDS of pilgrims from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi had by yesterday assembled at the Catholic shrine in Namugongo ahead of today’s celebrations to honour the Uganda martyrs killed in 1886.
By Raymond Baguma
THOUSANDS of pilgrims from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi had by yesterday assembled at the Catholic shrine in Namugongo ahead of today’s celebrations to honour the Uganda martyrs killed in 1886.
The pilgrim registration desk had by mid-day recorded 641 Kenyans, 363 people from the DR Congo and 243 from Rwanda.
A total of 170 Tanzanians had also arrived. Groups from Burundi, Nigeria and Zambia were on their way.
In Mityana, over 70 Nigerians on Monday paid homage to the three martyrs, Noah Mawagli, Luka Baanabakintu and Matia Mulumba, for whom a shrine was erected at Kiyinda Cathedral.
The Nigerians were led by Msgr. Daniel Obbo Abba, the Vicar General of Abuja Archdiocese.
This year’s Martyrs’ Day celebrations are organised by Kabale Diocese under the theme: ‘Witness to Jesus with Courage.’
Angelo Wachira, a pilgrim from Kenya, said his mission was to strengthen his faith and learn about the history of the Martyrs’ shrine in Namugongo.
“I only read about this place in books. I could have prayed from my church in Nairobi but I wanted to learn how the Ugandan martyrs grew in their faith,†Wachira said.
Sylvano Nyaga, the choir leader of Our Lady of Visitation Catholic Church in Nairobi, said: “I want to learn to stand firm in the Lord and profess Christ as my saviour, even if it means dying.â€
Beatrice Musanabera, a pilgrim registration official, said most of the registered pilgrims had travelled on foot.
Hundreds of pilgrims were seen arriving in trucks, buses, taxis and private cars.
Ugandan pilgrims arrived from the various Catholic dioceses across the country, with 500 pilgrims coming from Kabale, which is the organising diocese this year.
“Ugandan pilgrims are arriving in thousands. We are not able to register most of them,†Musanabera said.
Fausta Nambi, 49, who walked for two days from Ggolo in Mpigi district, said: “I want to pray for peace in Uganda. I will pray to the Martyrs to intercede for our country especially in the northern region.â€
THOUSANDS of pilgrims from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi had by yesterday assembled at the Catholic shrine in Namugongo ahead of today’s celebrations to honour the Uganda martyrs killed in 1886.
The pilgrim registration desk had by mid-day recorded 641 Kenyans, 363 people from the DR Congo and 243 from Rwanda.
A total of 170 Tanzanians had also arrived. Groups from Burundi, Nigeria and Zambia were on their way.
In Mityana, over 70 Nigerians on Monday paid homage to the three martyrs, Noah Mawagli, Luka Baanabakintu and Matia Mulumba, for whom a shrine was erected at Kiyinda Cathedral.
The Nigerians were led by Msgr. Daniel Obbo Abba, the Vicar General of Abuja Archdiocese.
This year’s Martyrs’ Day celebrations are organised by Kabale Diocese under the theme: ‘Witness to Jesus with Courage.’
Angelo Wachira, a pilgrim from Kenya, said his mission was to strengthen his faith and learn about the history of the Martyrs’ shrine in Namugongo.
“I only read about this place in books. I could have prayed from my church in Nairobi but I wanted to learn how the Ugandan martyrs grew in their faith,†Wachira said.
Sylvano Nyaga, the choir leader of Our Lady of Visitation Catholic Church in Nairobi, said: “I want to learn to stand firm in the Lord and profess Christ as my saviour, even if it means dying.â€
Beatrice Musanabera, a pilgrim registration official, said most of the registered pilgrims had travelled on foot.
Hundreds of pilgrims were seen arriving in trucks, buses, taxis and private cars.
Ugandan pilgrims arrived from the various Catholic dioceses across the country, with 500 pilgrims coming from Kabale, which is the organising diocese this year.
“Ugandan pilgrims are arriving in thousands. We are not able to register most of them,†Musanabera said.
Fausta Nambi, 49, who walked for two days from Ggolo in Mpigi district, said: “I want to pray for peace in Uganda. I will pray to the Martyrs to intercede for our country especially in the northern region.â€