(This article was first published in Toto Magazine on June 1, 2022)
The Uganda Martyrs, whom we remember every June 3, demonstrated their love for Jesus when they decided to die for their faith. On June 3, 1886, the young men were killed at Namugongo, in Wakiso district, on the orders of King Mwanga II of Buganda. He accused them of refusing to renounce their Christian faith.
Every year, people from all over Uganda and neighbouring countries, make pilgrimage to Namugongo to remember the martyrs. Some people walk on foot as a way of sharing in the suffering that the martyrs went through as Kabaka Mwanga’s guards dragged them to Namugongo. The Christians who go to Namugongo on foot are called foot pilgrims.
Usually, the foot pilgrims are mature people. However, this year, there are children pilgrims. Three of them, Bruno Bamwesigye, David Embabazize Rukundo and Bridget Amuhimbise, were among a group of 11 Christians who walked from St. Kaggwa Catholic Church in Bushenyi. They arrived at Namugongo on May 23.
They talked to Mathias Mazinga.
