KASESE. At least 78 foot pilgrims from the Catholic Diocese of Butembo-Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo arrived in Kasese District on Friday ahead of the annual Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations on June 3 at Namugongo.
The group was received at the Mpondwe border by the Bishop of Kasese Diocese, Rt Rev Francis Aquirinus Kibira, whose diocese will lead this year’s celebrations at the Catholic Shrine.
Bishop Kibira said the group would join other Congolese pilgrims who arrived earlier and are already rehearsing with choir members from Kasese Diocese.
The pilgrims were led by Rev Fr Christopher Safari from DR Congo. On arrival, Bishop Kibira led them to St Michael Catholic Church-Kabuyiri for Mass, where they spent the night before heading to Kasese town on Saturday to join others preparing to set off for Namugongo on 19 May. The group is expected to reach Namugongo on 31 May.
“In total, we expect more than 1,500 pilgrims from the Catholic Diocese of Butembo-Beni in the DRC. Some of them are choir members who arrived earlier to rehearse with their counterparts from Kasese Diocese so that they can sing in harmony during the celebrations. Others will travel on foot, while some will use vehicles,” Bishop Kibira said.
“We are very happy that they have arrived safely, and we thank God for that. This team will spend the night at St Michael Catholic Church, commonly known as Kabuyiri Shrine, before proceeding to the diocesan headquarters in Kasese town on 16 May to join the larger group of foot pilgrims. They will officially begin the journey to Namugongo on Monday, 19 May. Along the way, they will have stopovers for rest and refreshment because the journey cannot be completed nonstop.”
Fr Safari said the 78 pilgrims trekked from Butembo-Beni to Kasese as part of their spiritual preparation.
“This team of 78 pilgrims from the DRC will join the larger group that will walk from Kasese to Namugongo. The group comprises men, women, and youths, and we thank God for guiding us safely up to this point,” he said.
He added that the team travelling by vehicle had not yet arrived but was expected in the coming days.
“We appreciate the cooperation of our bishops, Rt Rev Melchisedec Sikuli Paluku of Butembo-Beni Diocese and Rt Rev Francis Aquirinus Kibira of Kasese Diocese, who have worked together with security teams to ensure our safety throughout the journey.”
Fr Safari described the pilgrimage as a journey of sacrifice, prayer and renewal.
“Walking from the DRC to Kampala is not easy, but we are doing this in the hope that we may also develop the strong faith demonstrated by the Uganda Martyrs, who boldly proclaimed Jesus Christ despite the challenges they faced. This pilgrimage is a journey of sacrifice, penance, prayer, and spiritual renewal, which requires total commitment,” he said.
Some pilgrims said they made the journey to strengthen their faith and pray for peace in the DRC. Kasereka Mariko said Uganda’s peaceful environment had inspired many Congolese pilgrims.
“Uganda is blessed because Christianity took root here many years ago. We pray that God may also bless the Democratic Republic of Congo in the same way. The peace and freedom we are enjoying while in Uganda show that this is a blessed country,” Mariko said.
A 58-year-old Yozofina Kabugho said she joined to pray for peace at home.
“My intention in walking all the way to Namugongo is to ask God to have mercy on us and our country so that we may also live in peace like other nations. We have witnessed enough bloodshed, and our country continues to suffer every day. This is my first time walking to Namugongo, and I believe it is time to turn to Christ so that one day God may answer our prayers and grant us peace and security,” she said.
21-year-old Betty Kaviira said she was praying for Congolese youth to avoid being lured into rebel groups.
“Many young people are deceived by false promises of jobs, only to end up recruited into rebel groups. I believe that if God touches the hearts of the young generation, they will be able to distinguish between good and bad influences that may endanger their lives. I decided to walk to Namugongo to pray to the Uganda Martyrs and Mother Mary to intercede for the youths in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the entire world,” she said.