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Walking to Namugongo: The journey takes its toll on our bodies
Kenyan pilgrims on their way to Namugongo martyrs shrine. The Martyrs’ Day will be celebrated on June 3. Monitor photo
What you need to know:
Our writer Roland D. Nasasira is walking with pilgrims making their way to Namugongo to celebrate Martyrs’ Day on June 3. His journey starts from Masaka and ends at Namugongo. Every day, he will write about what the journey entails and what the experience is like. In this third part of his story, he tells of his fear of walking at night and of his body refusing to move because of the aches and pains.
We depart from Lukaya at 6pm on Thursday evening. We are headed to Mitala Maria. I now know that walking is not as easy as it looks.
I had planned for this journey since February but did not know things would get this harsh. My leg joints are hurting, but I have no option. The place I find challenging to walk through is the eight miles through Lweera. This is because this area hardly has any people, if at all.
I do not see any building however hard I look. There is not even a trading centre where we can buy a soft drink. At some point, I feel so hot and remove my sweater. The good thing is, we can see where we are stepping, as group members have torches. When we started, I was walking with my head high and back straight. But now, I am limping.
Even in this state of affairs, I thank God for the courage because I had begun to wonder if I would go as far as Kayabwe Town where we take a break as a group at about 11pm. But soon we are back on the road. I try hard to keep the pace with the steady walkers but at some point I accept defeat and let the colleague I am walking with go ahead of me as we approach Mbizinya at approximately 2am. His pace is unmatchable.
We finally get to the church where we stop to rest. We have walked for 35km. A few men and women left with strength in their bodies combine efforts to prepare porridge for breakfast. After that, some people refresh by taking baths using church water from the few bathrooms as others get some rest and sleep in the church on benches, others use the flat green compound.
At this point, no one is sure of the exact number of pilgrims but it is estimated to be more than 1,000.
Upon waking up, some people’s muscles are static. The only way they can get back on their feet is when a volunteering doctor helps them apply liniment and rubs the affected parts, mostly the joints and, thighs hard as they groan.
Katogo of matooke and beans is prepared for lunch by the same people who prepared breakfast.
Everyone, however, is supposed to have carried their own plate and cup or multipurpose container. The food has been contributed by some pilgrims and the different churches from the 52 parishes that make up Masaka diocese.
When we leave here, we shall walk up to Katende where we are expected to arrive on Saturday morning. From there, the next stopover will be Nalukolongo where we are expected to arrive on Sunday morning. I cannot wait to get home.
