Authorities have confirmed that a Gulu pilgrim has died after traveling more than 290 kilometers to Namugongo in Wakiso District for the annual June 3 Martyrs’ Day.
In his message on Thursday, May 30, 2024, Simon Peter Wokorach the Aswa County MP revealed that Ronald Ojok was among the 250 pilgrims from Northern Uganda before he was pronounced dead in Luwero District.
“On a sad note, we lost a young man who passed away from Janani Luwum Memorial Secondary School, Bombo campus in Bombo, where we had camped for a night. He died at around midday on Monday,” the legislator said.
According to Wokorach, Ojok started feeling sick as they got closer to Luwero District, so they decided to take him to Emus Health Centre II for a checkup. It was determined that he had malaria.
“After receiving the medication, this Gulu pilgrim improved and we came with him up to our camp at Janani Luwum Memorial School in Bombo. While at the camp, the condition worsened. He started vomiting and convulsing and passed on a few minutes past midday,” he added.
Wokorach added that after the Bombo Hospital medical staff arrived on the site, they removed the body to the morgue of the hospital so that a postmortem could be performed. The body, according to Wokorach, was still at the mortuary and is scheduled to be moved to Nwoya District on June 3.
“He was a hero and martyr who died while embracing his faith,” one of his fellow pilgrims said. Ojok is scheduled to be buried on June 5 in his native Koch-lii Village in Nwoya District, according to provisional burial arrangements.
Relatedly Police and Ministry of Health ambulances have deployed on all major highways and at Namugongo for emergency response and medical evacuation.
Luke Owoyesigyire Deputy Public Relations officer for Kampala Metropolitan Police said that movements are restricted during night and early morning hours to prevent road accidents and identify those needing medical attention.
“Pilgrims are steadily trekking on foot to Kampala, and we are ensuring their safety. Pilgrims are being escorted and protected at churches, schools, and community centres where they rest,” part of the statement read.
This year’s Martyr’s Day is scheduled to be attended by about 2.5 million people, the majority of whom are trekkers from Uganda and neighbouring East African nations.
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This day honors the remembrance of twenty-two Catholic and twenty-three Anglican converts who were put to death between 1885 and 1887 at Kabaka’s (King Mwanga’s) orders.
