Police have confirmed that two Pilgrims have so far died ahead of the Friday, June 3, Uganda Marty’s commemoration.
Ahead of the anticipated annual mass commemorations, Pilgrims trek from different parts of the country to Namugongo where the 37 Marys (22 Catholics and 15 Protestants) were killed.
These are believed to have been killed under orders of the then King of Buganda Kingdom, Mwanga ll between 1885 and 1887 after they allegedly refused to denounce their new faith (Christianity).
On Monday, both mainstream and social media were awash with the news of the mysterious death of a 49 year’ Jackeline Arinaitwe resident at Katokori village, Rubirizi District had died during the trek to the Nakiyanjanja Anglican shrine.
Arinaitwe was part of over 90 pilgrims from the Western Ankole diocese and is said to have collapsed to death, according to Asp Luke Oweyesigye the Deputy police spokesperson of Kampala Metropolitan Area.
However, while addressing the media at the police headquarters in Naguru, Fred Enanga, the Police spokesperson noted that they had registered the one death of 53 year resident of Ntungamo District who had lost her life in an accident having been rushed to the hospital shortly.
The suspect was being apprehended and is now in police custody.
While the real cause of death for the second pilgrim has not yet been established, Oweyesigye noted that her body has been conveyed to the city mortuary Mulago for Postmortem to help establish the exact cause of death.
He also noted that the police would like to convey their condolences to the family of the deceased person, where he also advised all pilgrims to always rehydrate in a way of taking enough water and also have enough rest during the pilgrimage
This year’s post-Covid commemorations will be held under the theme will be marked under Hope beyond Affliction led by the Ankole diocese the official organizers.
