Pilgrims from Fort Portal start trekking to Namugongo
More than 400 pilgrims from Fort Portal Catholic Diocese have started their pilgrimage to Namugongo to join the rest of the world to commemorate the Uganda martyrs.
Unlike last year where the number was 700, this time the pilgrims have reduced due to fresh guidelines that were issued by the diocese
According to Anthony Awonchi the diocesan martyrs’ coordinator, for any Christian to participate in the walking, they must be deemed to be healthy and be financially sound.
The pilgrims from different districts including Kasese ,Bundibugyo, Ntoroko and Democratic Republic of Congo first gathered at Virika Cathedral where they dedicated their holy journey in a mass praising and worshipping before setting off for Namugongo.
The journey is set to take them nine days and all pilgrims are expected to arrive Namugongo on May 31, 2018.
Because of the rains, the pilgrims carried polythene bags and umbrellas for use when it rains while others carried luggage which included jerrycans and buckets to use on their long journey and while in Namugongo.
One of the pilgrims was 72 year old Zahura Rest from Kitumbi parish who said this is the 13th year she is trekking to Namugongo in search of a healing for cancer since she has no money to go for treatment in India.
The pilgrims target to cover approximately 33kms daily with the first stop over at Villa Maria parish in Kyenjojo district,
