Rest day for Lira pilgrims ahead of final leg

May 31, 2015

Today, Sunday, is resting day for the group of 300 pilgrims who have journeyed all the way from Lira district in Northern Uganda.

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

NAGURU - Today, Sunday, is resting day for the group of 300 pilgrims who have journeyed all the way from Lira district in Northern Uganda.

Their final destination – the martyrs’ shrine in Namugongo – is not far off, as they are already in Kampala.

They arrived in the capital early Saturday afternoon, exhausted and heavily laden with their stuff, yet at the same time, rich in determination and morale.

The pilgrims were warmly welcomed by locals as they snaked their way through Kawempe. Even a brass band joined them, together with some other area people.

It has been a challenging pilgrimage, especially with the brutal elements, and Saturday’s leg was no different. Nevertheless, the group reached St Jude Catholic Church, Naguru parish safely and as a unit.

After catching a breath and resting a bit, the pilgrims held a thanksgiving Mass to give glory to God and to thank Him for their safe journey so far.

After Mass, the group retired for the night in the church’s confines to sleep off their fatigue after a grueling day’s walk.

They will rest the whole of today at Naguru before embarking on their final leg of a 218km-journey on foot to the martyrs’ shrine in Namugongo on Monday.