Maama Nyerere in Uganda for pilgrimage

PIC: The Rev. Wilson Wabwire in charge of Uganda Martyrs Museum explains Mama Maria Nyerere details about the museum during her visit to Anglican Martyrs Shrine Namugongo on Wednesday January 24, 2018. (Juliet Lukwago)

RELIGION | PILGRIMAGE

WAKISO - Maria Gabriel Magige Waningu, 88, also known as maama Nyerere is in Uganda for a pilgrimage at the Uganda Martyrs' Catholic Shrine Namugongo in Wakiso district.

Waningu is the window to former president of Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, who died 19 years ago.

Her entourage was on Wednesday received at the shrines by the rector, Fr Vincent Lubega and Fr Augustine Bukenya, before entering the Basilica, where she spent almost 40 minutes engrossed in prayer.

Waningu also held prayers at the Anglican Martyrs shrine, where she was received Rev. John Wilson Wabwire.

Wabwire, together with the government protocol took Waningu and her delegation on a tour of the museum.

Maama Nyerere reiterated her strong belief in the martyrs.

"I am faithful like others who believe in Uganda Martyrs and I regard them as my heroes. That is why I am here for a special pilgrimage because I know that they shed their blood in these two places."

Mama Maria Nyerere prayering at Martyrs grave yard inside the Uganda Martyrs Museum during her visit to Anglican Martyrs Shrine Namugongo on Wednesday January 24, 2018

Deo Kalurama, one of the delegates from Tanzania, said Maama Nyerere never misses the Martyrs Day celebrations in order pray for her husband's beatification.

Many pilgrims trek from different East African countries to Namugongo shrines to commemorate the Uganda Martyrs Day very June 3.

Who is Maama Nyerere?
Gabriel Magige Waningu was born to Gabriel Magige and Hannah Nyashiboha on December 31, 1930 and is the seventh in the family of nine.

Waningu went to White Sisters' School at Nyegina, and then Ukerewe School, before she joined Sumve Teacher Training College, where she attained a teaching certificate and began teaching at Nyegina Primary School at Musoma.

She got married to Nyerere in 1953.