A group of 580 pilgrims from Lira Diocese who are trekking to Namugongo for Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations slated for 3rd June arrived in Luwero on Sunday.
The pilgrims were welcomed by Health Minister and Lira city MP Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero at Kasana Luwero Diocese where they were expected to spend a night before proceeding to Namugongo.
Minister Aceng who was accompanied by her husband Dr Andrew Ocero and family friend Neil Wittingham delivered food items to the pilgrims that included water, soap soda, rice, salt, sugar and beef.
Minister Aceng thanked Kasana Luwero Diocese for providing accommodation to the pilgrims and the Bishop of Lira Diocese, Bishop Linos Wanok for blessing and releasing them for the journey
The minister later joined pilgrims in an evening mass led by Rev Fr Paul Okuta who is among the pilgrims from Lira Diocese.
The pilgrims are set to arrive in Namugongo on the 1st of June 2022.
She thanked them for praying and blessing her and her entire team and asked God to bless the pilgrims, protect them, take them safely to Namugongo and back home. “What a joy to celebrate the Lord through this sacrifice of walking to Namugongo,” she said.
Uganda Martyrs’ Day is a national public holiday in Uganda marked on June 3rd to commemorate the 45 martyrs, both Catholic and Anglican, who were killed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, then King of Buganda between 1885 and 1886.