news 15 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
78 Congolese pilgrims arrive in Kasese for Martyrs' Day celebrations
A group of 78 pilgrims from the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached Kasese on foot, ahead of Uganda's Martyrs' Day celebrations on June 3rd. They were welcomed by the Bishop of Kasese Diocese and will join other Congolese pilgrims preparing for the journey to Namugongo. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/78-congolese-foot-pilgrims-arrive-in-kasese-ahead-of-martyrs-day-celebrations-5461288
Seventy-eight pilgrims from the Catholic Diocese of Butembo-Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo have arrived in Kasese District, making their way on foot for the annual Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations. The group was met at the Mpondwe border by the Bishop of Kasese Diocese, the Rt Rev Francis Aquirinus Kibira, whose diocese is leading this year’s celebrations at the Catholic Shrine.
The pilgrims, led by Rev Fr Christopher Safari, were scheduled to spend the night at St Michael Catholic Church-Kabuyiri before proceeding to Kasese town. They are expected to join a larger contingent of pilgrims and begin their journey to the Namugongo shrine on May 19, aiming to arrive by May 31.
Bishop Kibira mentioned that the diocese anticipates over 1,500 pilgrims from the Butembo-Beni Diocese. Some of these arrived earlier to rehearse with the Kasese Diocese choir for the event.
“We are very happy that they have arrived safely, and we thank God for that,” Bishop Kibira stated, emphasizing the planned stopovers for rest and refreshment during the arduous trek.
Rev Fr Safari described the pilgrimage as a journey of sacrifice, prayer, and spiritual renewal. He noted that walking from the DRC to Kampala is challenging but driven by a desire to emulate the strong faith of the Uganda Martyrs.
Many pilgrims shared their motivations, including Kasereka Mariko, who expressed admiration for Uganda’s peaceful environment and prayed for similar blessings in the DRC. Yozofina Kabugho, 58, is walking to pray for peace in her war-torn country, while 21-year-old Betty Kaviira hopes to pray for Congolese youth to resist recruitment by rebel groups.