15,000 pilgrims treated at Catholic Martyrs Shrine

 

This year's number, according to Mumpere was much more than the previous years, and the good thing is that most of the people came with their medications. The most common disease were diarrhea because many people drink juices on their expeditions to Namugongo. Malaria was also rampant and others were ulcers, fatigue and high blood pressure.

 

"This year was different and good because most of the pilgrims were more  sensitised than other years," he said.

 

Mupere  said 5,000 people were treated for wounds, 2500 for ulcers,  1500 for hunger 10 for epilepsy (ensimbu), over 2000 for diarrhea, 3000  for malaria and many others for different illness. He said 10 cases were taken to Kirundu Referral Hospital, Kawempe and other hospitals.

 

 

 

Prior to Martyrs Day celebrations, the Catholic Church, all group leaders have to register people who intend to walk from different parts of the country. In addition, they have to first go for medical checkups to know their health status before making the pilgrimage and minimise health complications. Sometimes these complications result into the death of pilgrims.

 

Deputy Police Spokesperson, Polly Namaye at a press conference at Catholic Martyrs Shrine Namugongo on Monday said they had two serious accidents one at Kyaliwanjala and Namanve along Jinja road.

 

She said the hidden cameras and heavy deployment of uniform and plain-clothed security personnel to deal with all criminals planning to disrupt peaceful celebrations was the reason why criminal cases were not many. 

 

 "We worked together with security agencies to keep law and order at both shrines, they were those who were in open places and others hidden. The Police Marine Unit was also stationed on the water sources to prevent anybody from drowning," she said.

 

Parish priest and Shrine Rector of the Catholic shrine, Fr Vincent Lubega, commended security agencies for the good work. "This security was good compared to the one of last year.

 

Some of the pilgrims were stranded due to lack of transport money 

 

For the number of stranded pilgrims, Fr Lubega said that he can't tell now because many people are still at Shrine premises. In addition, many of those who missed the pilgrimage are still coming today for their private prayers and others to attend a different mass.

 

"If they are stranded pilgrims after getting official details and proof we will work together as the parish, Episcopal Conference and the host  Archdiocese of Gulu to see that the stranded people get back to their places. We have done this for so many years," Fr Lubega said.

 

He said that they were several reasons why the pilgrims were stranded, many genuinely do not have money to take them back home, some of them are mentally unstable, sick, and others not familiar with Kampala City. 

 

As regards offertory which was reported to have got lost, he said that it was not true at all, the money was collected and taken by Centenary Bank.

 

On Tuesday the place was still busy. Several pilgrims were moving around, some were seen with jerricans of waterboarding buses to go back to their homes, some people were still at the roadside doing their business. There was traffic jam continuing to Nakiyanja Martyrs Shrine, service providers were seen removing their tents and chairs from the shades.

 

Police and UPDF lorries waiting for soldiers parking their garments to leave the place, while others still sitting at shrine premises.   

 

At the Anglican shrine in Nakiyanja, everyone seemed to have dispersed save for service providers who were clearing their wares and merchandise and few police who were standing at the gate.

 

Catholic and Anglican Churches on Monday celebrated annual Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations which hosted pilgrims from different parts of the country and others from different countries. 

 

22 Catholics and 23 Church of Uganda (Anglicans) were executed for their faith on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga.