Pilgrims from Uganda and other parts of the world have been allowed access to Namugongo for this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations due on June 3.
While giving an update on the preparations in Kampala yesterday, Fort Portal Catholic Diocese Bishop Robert Muhiirwa said they have been preparing for a kind of open blast for this great occasion.
“We have spent two years without having a big celebration because of Covid-19. We have been in touch with the government, the Health ministry, Prime Minister’s office and they have given us a go-ahead to celebrate because the economy has been [fully] opened up and the [Covid-19] numbers have gone low,” Bishop Muhiirwa said.
“We have not been given any restrictions yet [on number of pilgrims that should be hosted] but we believe that since the economy has been opened, things are being done openly everywhere,” he added.
The development follows a previous two-year ban on the celebrations as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown.
During this period, the celebrations at the Catholic and Protestant shrines in Namugongo were held scientifically.
As per the April 19 communication from the Ministry of Health, there is no Covid-19 patient admitted at any hospital in the country.
Fort Portal Diocese was selected by the Uganda Episcopal Conference to lead this year’s Namugongo celebrations and to this effect, received a communication from the Health ministry, stating that it is important that standard operating procedures (SOPs) are observed at the celebrations as a way of controlling Covid-19 cases.
International pilgrims are required to either have a PCR test done 48 hours before entering the country or have a vaccination certificate. The PCR test detects the presence of Covid-19 inside the body. Before commencing on the foot pilgrimage, Bishop Muhiirwa advised pilgrims to be in good health and shape.
“If you are sick, don’t walk [to Namugongo],” he said.