Police Reassures Pilgrims Of Safety Five Days To Martyrs Day Celebrations
The police have given assurance that they will ensure the safety of all pilgrims on their way to Namugongo for the Martyrs Day celebrations, when in Namugongo and after the celebrations.
The assurance was given by Police Spokesman Fred Enanga as he addressed journalists at the Police headquarters in Kampala. This comes as more pilgrims from Jinja Catholic Diocese start their trek to Namugongo and a day after a vehicle knocked some pilgrims walking on foot from the same diocese.
The Pilgrims from the diocese are expected to cover a distance of over 70km in three days.
As preparations for the Martyrs Day celebrations both at the Anglican Site and the Catholic Shrine in Namugongo on 3rd June 2023 draw nearer, it has been confirmed that pilgrims from Kakamega County in Kenya are en route to Namugongo for the faith event. More pilgrims from Jinja Catholic Diocese are also walking on foot to Namugongo.
Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga has reassured pilgrims that the police are prepared and ready to provide security and safety for them at all points of their pilgrimage to Namugongo. He added that there are no potential security risks registered so far.
The 2023 Martyrs Day celebrations are expected to attract thousands of pilgrims at different sites in Namugongo including the Catholic Martyrs Shrine, the Anglican Martyrs Site in Nakiyanjja, the Mamre Prayer Centre, and the Muslim worship centre.
Enanga provided some guidelines the pilgrims will have to follow as they trek to the Namugongo for religious celebrations.
He said that people living in the Namugongo area should expect and prepare adequately for the large crowds that are expected to interrupt traffic flow.
Jinja Diocese will lead the Martyrs Day celebrations at the Catholic Shrine while the Eastern Cluster of ten (10) Dioceses is leading the preparations and will lead the celebrations at the Anglican Site in Nakiyanja.
Martyrs Day is annually celebrated on 3rd June to honour the martyrs who steadfastly fought for their faith in the face of provocation and the forceful call to renounce their faith and belief. This year, 2023 marks the 137th year of this religious commemoration from 1886 when the martyrs were killed.
Mary Prima Awor
