Pilgrims will on Saturday begin their pilgrimage to commemorate St. Janani Luwum’s 45th anniversary from Gulu city, ahead of the celebrations slated for Wednesday 16th February 2022 in Wii-Gweng in Mucwini, Kitgum district.
Christians from all regions across the country converge at the place of St. Janani arrest in Namirembe Cathedral, where they begin their walk of faith weeks earlier, until they reach Luwum’s final resting place.
However, this hasn’t been the case over the last two years following the COVID19 pandemic that forced the occasion to be celebrated scientifically last year.
This year, the national and local organizing committees of the commemoration had planned that celebrations take place both in Kampala and Kitgum, while each diocese holds its own event.
However, on Tuesday this week, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu told the local organizing committee in Kitgum that the event will only be hosted in Kitgum.
According to Rev Canon Patrick Obonyo the Diocesan Secretary of Kitgum Diocese, because of the change of plans, the pilgrimage will start from Gulu City, and the pilgrims will make the first stop in Cwero on February 12 before proceeding to, Lacekocot in Atanga sub-county on February 13, and walk the final lap to Kitgum town parish on 14 and reach Mucwini on February 15th.
Rev. Can. Obonyo says a few representatives will travel from Kitgum to Gulu City and arrive there tomorrow February 11, and start the pilgrimage the following day.
He says Christians from other parishes in Kitgum diocese such as; Agoro, Adilang Puranga, will move directly from their parishes to Wii Gweng, while informing other pilgrims where they have reached. He expects the number of pilgrims to reach 500.
Although he is not yet sure of the chief guest of the memorial, they expect more than 3,000 people from Kampala and 2,000 people from within the region to attend the event.
