NAMUGONGO – The Namugongo Martyrs Catholic Shrine was Friday evening filling to capacity as more pilgrims arrived ahead of the Martyrs Day celebrations on Sunday.
The Archdiocese of Tororo are leading this year’s celebrations.
Files of marching pilgrims were on Friday seen trecking into the Shrine as Novena Masses went on inside the Basillica.
According to Fr. Alex Oketch, the chairman of the Publicity Committee, about 4.5 million pilgrims — both local and international, are expected this year.
“We have so far received pilgrims from pilgrims from the USA, the UK, Malawi, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and our neighbours Kenya, Tanzania and DRC,” Fr. Oketch said on Friday.
Martyrs Day 2018 (PPU PHOTO)
President Museveni was also at the Catholic Shrine on Friday to attend prayers for the canonization of the late Tanzania President Julius Nyerere.
On Thursday, more than 12,000 foot pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Tororo arrived at Namugongo in a grand entry.
Several other foot pilgrims from all over Uganda have also arrived over the week.
Anglicans prepare for three conferences:
At the Anglican Shrine, organisers were prelaring for three manor conferences.
The Youth, Men and Women’s conferences, each attracting over 1000 participants, are designed as curtain raisers for the grand celebrations on Martyrs Day on 3rd June at the Anglican side.
The Youth event in particular has a series of activities, including an essay competition, debate and discussions on a range of issues.
When? SATURDAY 2ND JUNE 2018 at 10am.
The Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda and former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi will both open and attend the conferences.
