An old woman has become a sensation at this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations after she trekked over 300km from Fort Portal to Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine in Kampala.
Agatha Nyinabutagwira, 72, hails from Kyanyamukale parish in Fort Portal Diocese in Tooro sub-region.
The 72-year-old pilgrim was among the hundreds of pilgrims who trekked over 300km from Fort Portal to Namugongo to celebrate 45 believers who were martyred for their faith.
On Tuesday, May 31, Nyinabutagwira and other pilgrims from Tooro finally reached Kampala.
The territorial police in Kampala Metropolitan Area received the pilgrims and provided protective cover while escorting them from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church Busega to Namugongo.
The gallant members of the Police Band played music during the walk of faith.
The real sight to behold was at Kyaliwajjala where believers welcomed the elderly older woman to Namugongo Catholic Shrine.
Bystanders lined up on the roads and took pictures while cheering and congratulating her for making it.
When the celebrations finally kicked off today, Friday, June 3, 2022, Nyinabutagwira was escorted by protocol to the VIP section of the Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine to attend the mass.
Old school
Nyinabutagwira is one of the many elderly women and men who trekked long distances to Namugongo shrines.
By Wednesday, a total of 800 pilgrims from different parts of the country had arrived at the Anglican Martyrs’ Shrine in Namugongo, Wakiso District.
Specious Karweibare, a 71-year-old pilgrim from Mbarara District, Francis Mastaba,72, from Mbale District and Eyu Ekeru,74, from Lango Diocese, who spent 15 days on the road, were among them.
100-year-old pilgrim Mzee Bernard Tibyangye walked over 300kms from Bushenyi to Namugongo. This is his 62nd pilgrimage to Namugongo.
A Tooro Affair
This year’s event is animated by Fort Portal Catholic Diocese under the theme: “Baptised and sent to Christ with love & hope.”
The 300-strong choir from Fort Portal Diocese set the stage Friday morning by animating this year’s fete.
They led the mass in the praise and worship sessions at the Catholic shrine.
His Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, King of Tooro Kingdom, attended the mass.
Bishop Robert Muhiirwa of Fort Portal Diocese led the mass where he preached against double dealers in matters of faith.
“Let us learn from the martyrs,” he emphasized.
Massive celebrations
Tens of thousands of people are gathered at both the Anglican and Catholic shrines to remember those who gave their lives to preserve their faith on orders of Kabaka Mwanga II, then King of Buganda between 1885 and 1887.
Security cut off the Kireka-Kwaliwajala and Namugongo Roads for cars without stickers. Pilgrims were forced to trek the remaining journey.
Pilgrims first received breakfast ahead of the main service which started at 9am.
A plate of food is now between Shs6000 and Shs10000, and a cup of tea is between Shs1500 and Shs3000, according to Daily Monitor journalist, Derrick Wandera.
The Christians then sang praise and worship songs ahead of the main service.
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat who walked to the shrine, was among the first politicians to grace the event.
Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo, and Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister and also the Minister for East African Community Affairs, arrived at the same time.
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Anita Among, and former Vice President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, came next.
Then followed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa with his wife, and Minister of Security Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, who also joined the celebrants.
Others are; The Katikkiro (Prime Minister) of Busoga Joseph Muvawala Nsekere, Hon. Francis Zaake, Omoro county MP-elect Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, Hon. Mwijukye Francis and other legislators in the 11th Parliament.
Martyrs Day Celebrations later started at Mamre International Prayer Centre Janda, where Mukajanga is said to have cleaned the tools that he used to execute the Martyrs.
The prayers were organised by the Christian Ecumenical Orthodox Church.
Mukajanga was Buganda kingdom’s chief executioner around 1886 and played a pivotal role in the demise of the 45 young Christians at Namugongo.
