Police issue Namugongo traffic plan

By Vision reporter

The Police has unveiled the traffic management and security plan for this year’s Martyr’s Day celebrations at Namugongo shrine in Kampala.

Thousands of pilgrims from across the globe are expected to throng the shrine on June 3, to intercede with the 45 Protestant and Catholic martyrs, who were killed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II in 1886, after they refused to renounce their faith.

This year, over two million pilgrims are expected to visit the shrine, and hundreds have already set up camp.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police traffic boss Lawrence Niwabiine, traffic flow on Namugongo Road from Shell-Kireka to Kyaliwajala and the shrine will be turned into a one-way.

He said pilgrims travelling along Jinja Road from the city centre to the Protestant shrine, will access the Protestant Church through a diversion at Bweyogerere trading centre and park at a playground through Janda Road.

“All motorists from Mukono-Jinja direction going to attend the celebration, will divert at Seeta trading centre and access both shrines through Sonde. Between Kyaliwajala trading centre and the shrines will be a pedestrian road,” said Niwabiine.

The general park at Namugongo Primary School playground will be accessed from Kyaliwajala through Semambo Road. VIPs en-route to the Catholic Shrine will park at Namugongo SS playground. VIPs going to the Protestant Church will park at the church’s compound, while motorists from Kiira town council will access the general park through Semambo Road.

Meanwhile, vehicles from Seeta and Bweyogerere trading centre will park at an open ground between the Catholic and Protestant shrines through Bbira close.

Generally, Kyaliwajala trading centre will be a drop-off area for pilgrims, who will have used passenger service vehicles. After offloading passengers, the vehicles will exit through Naalya and Ntinda. Buses carrying pilgrims along the Jinja highway should access the shrines through Seeta division towards Sonde and Namugongo.

Motoring pilgrims from Bombo- Kawempe direction will join the Northern Bypass at Bwaise. Those going to the Catholic Shrine will divert at Naalya roundabout and go to Kyaliwajala trading centre, while those going to the Protestant Shrine will continue on the Northern Bypass up to Bweyogerere through Kakajo-Namulondo theatre Road.