Lira pilgrims soaked but undeterred

May 29, 2015

A heavy afternoon downpour on Friday did well to leave a trail of destruction in its wake in many parts of Matugga town, but it was not enough to deter a group of pilgrims who have been trekking from Lira.



By Ashraf Saif-llah Kasirye & Sarah Kisakye
@saif_kasirye  @Kisa_Sarah 


A heavy afternoon downpour on Friday did well to leave a trail of destruction in its wake in many parts of Matugga town, but it was not enough to deter a group of pilgrims who have been trekking from Lira.

The group is making its way to the martyrs’ shrine in Namugongo on foot.

But right before they could reach Matugga Parish, their latest stop-over, the walkers were ambushed by a downpour.

They had left their previous resting point in Kasana, Luwero a few minutes after midnight, and had spent the whole Friday early morning on the move.

Dawn found them singing hymns of praise as they soldiered on, determined to go farther on their tough course.

Having already been battered by the elements, Friday’s afternoon rain failed to come in the way of the pilgrims’ determination and vim.
 


The pilgrims from Lira walking through rain in Matugga. (Credit: Ashraf Sif-llah Kasirye)

 


A member of the Red Cross team treats a wounded pilgrim upon arrival at Matugga Parish. (Credit: Sarah Kisakye)


They endured the rain and managed to reach St. Francis Catholic Church from where they will rest to regain their energy and perhaps even reflect on their journey so far.

The walkers from the northern part of the country decided to switch from night trekking to day-time movement.

For that reason, they plan to set off at 8am local time Saturday to continue their journey. The next stopping point will be Naguru Parish.

Meanwhile, other groups of pilgrims from various parts of the country and afar are making their way to Namugongo as well. Some have already reached the shrine following days on the road.

At Namugongo, already the area is beginning to burst into life with a host of activities evident ahead of the Martyrs’ Day celebrations on Wednesday next week.



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