Pope walk: Mayiga chief walker, route released

 

 

The reconstruction of the shrines is in preparation for Pope Francis visit to Uganda on November 27. 

 

“5,000 is an extremely conservative estimate,” said Joseph Lwanga the circulation manager at Vision Group. “People who have paid so far are close to 10,000. Some of those will not walk, and others are not decided yet. All I am saying is that walkers will not be less than 5,000. But they can even be more than 10,000.”

 

The Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kabushenga, called the response overwhelming. 

 

“I am overwhelmingly impressed. Ugandans recognise that this is our opportunity to show the world that we are ready for the pope. The international community is now focusing its attention to us and we can’t afford to be found shabby,” he said.

The chief walker will be the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga.

 

“I thank Vision Group for championing the cause to give the historical sites a facelift and our pope a grand welcome,” he said. 

 

 

 

According to the New Vision release, walkers are expected to start assembling at Kololo airstrip at 6.00AM. Those who come driving will leave their vehicles at Kololo. After the walk, buses and taxis will be available in Namugongo to ferry them back at a cost of sh1,000.

 

“We have discussed with Pioneer Buses and taxi people to be available and bring our walkers back to Namugongo,” Lwanga said. “Because this is a fundraising drive, everyone will be responsible for the transport fare back to Kololo.”

However, Lwanga clarified, people who will have come with aggregated transport like buses and minivans to Kololo can arrange for their drivers to drive ahead and wait for them in Namugongo.

 

At 7.30AM, there will be a welcome note from the organisers, Vision Group, and another talk from the security personnel about the route, guidelines for safety and security awareness during the walk. Thereafter, the walk will be flagged off at 8.00AM.

 

 

The walk will go through Nakawa, turn off to Mbuya and then to Kinawataka via the Nuncio’s home. Pope Francis will sleep at this place throughout his stay in Uganda. The Nuncio, Archbishop Michael August Blume, will be standing by to bless the walkers.

 

The route will continue to Kireka, cross Jinja Road to Kyaliwajala and then, Namugongo. The total distance of the walk is 13.3km. 

 

 

On arrival at Namugongo, walkers will have to show their ticket to be allowed into the redeveloped grounds, a few days before the site is handed over by Roko Construction. The parish secretary in charge of the grounds, Francis Muwonge, said ushers from Namugongo parish will guide walkers through the new shrine grounds in an organised one-way walk tour that ends on the other side. 

 

“Guides will answer the questions, ensure that walkers follow only the walkways, and that they don’t turn back to cause a human jam or stampede,” Muwonge said. “The touring walkers will exit into the playground where the choir will be awaiting them. We plan to have mass as a final summit of the walk before the walkers disperse at will.”

 

 

Lwanga said when many parents asked for their children to join in the walk, the committee decided to plan a second and shorter route for children below 15.

 

“They will begin at Vienna Secondary school at 9.30 after flag off by the guest of honour,” Lwanga said. “Parents will still be responsible for the security of their children because kids can get lost in the crowd. Like adults, children also pay sh10,000 to participate. Our Toto Magazine will be there to profile and interview the kid walkers.”

 

 

Lwanga said drinks and eats will be supplied by Coca Cola. However, he explained, since this is a fundraising, everything will be on sale at the usual prices. 

 

“Refreshments will be available at Kololo, throughout the walk and in Namugongo,” he said. “I advise walkers to carry some pocket money.”

 

Kabushenga said he was grateful for everyone who contributed and those who will participate.

 

 “This is God’s work benefitting all of us,” Kabushenga said. “It is a multidenominational walk. I have received money from people of different faiths. Ugandans know how to make the home ready when they have visitors. When Namugongo is finally finished, we shall look at it, smile and say: Yes, I also put here my brick.”  

 

Walkers are paying pay sh10,000 to register. All payment is being made through New Vision offices in Kampala, Arua, Mbarara, Lira and Soroti. Selected agents at Vision outlets will also receive the money and receipt it. You can also pay through Stanbic Bank Uganda in the names of New Vision Printing and Publishing Company Limited, Account Number: 9030005950421. Swift code: SBICUGKX, Sort code: 040147 and Branch: City branch. Write 'Walk' or 'Rosary' depending on what you are paying for.

 

You can also pay through MTN. Go to the MTN menu: Mobile money: Pay bill: Goods and services: Code…….(here input NV3 - capital letters): Amount: Reference ( reason for which money is being sent or name of the customer – rosary or walk): pin number: Confirmation of transaction.

 

 For Airtel, type *185# and you will get the menu. Select PAY BILL and you will be given options. Select OTHERS and enter business number as 600006. Then enter amount and you will be asked reasons for payment. Type NEWVISION and you will get a summary of your payments, Confirm and enter your pin number.

 

Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga said he was gratefull to Vision Group, everyone who contributed and all those who will walk. The archbishop, who is also the chairman of the finance committee, entrusted to Vision Group the responsibility of raising funds for the redevelopment of the Uganda Martyrs shrine into a modern pilgrimage centre.