📷 Namugongo Martyrs’ Day: Police stuck with 11 children, 77 arrested

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WAKISO - Police are stuck with 11 children who were found stranded following Saturday’s Martyrs Day celebrations at Namugongo.

This was disclosed by Kampala Metropolitan Police on Spokesperson Patrick Onyango Sunday. He said the Police are keeping the children at the Central Police Station (CPS), in Kampala.

“We are going to work with Dwelling Places, a Christian-based non-government organisation, to see how to reunite the children with their parents,” Onyango said.

On Saturday, there was heightened security within Namugongo in Kira Municipality Wakiso district, with Police deploying in several areas. There was also a military helicopter flying around the area.

On Saturday, there was heightened security within Namugongo in Kira Municipality Wakiso district, with Police deploying in several areas. (All Photos by Stuart Yiga)

Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire revealed that 77 suspected criminal elements were arrested for allegedly stealing exhausted pilgrims.

“Police has registered 15 cases ranging from theft of 45 phones, stealing from a motor vehicle and indecent assault,” he disclosed. Some of the suspects were arrested in government stores.

The security team positioned among the pilgrims and caught the suspects in the act, as they attempted to open bags and snatch valuables such as mobile phones and wallets from unsuspecting pilgrims.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire revealed that 77 suspected criminal elements were arrested for allegedly stealing exhausted pilgrims.

Police also arrested individuals who deliberately caused disturbances to divert attention and steal from the pilgrims.

The suspects are currently under detention at Kira Division Police Station which holds jurisdiction over both the Catholic and Anglican shrines. , awaiting to be arraigned before Kira Division Magistrate’s Court.

Owoyesigyire said the suspects were apprehended during a joint security operation, which started on June 2.

“Our officers both in uniform and civilian attires, have been on ground since June 2, looking out for any potential criminal element who aimed at stealing from the pilgrims,” Owoyesigyire said.

The security team positioned among the pilgrims.

Owoyesigyire expressed gratitude to the pilgrims and the church teams for cooperating with the security personnel in ensuring the Martyr’s Day celebrations ends without any serious incident.

In their efforts to maintain a secure environment, the military and police confiscated unauthorized items from the pilgrims, including knives, razorblades, and other sharp objects.

The communications officer at the Uganda Red Cross Society, Irene Nakasiita, said a total of 1187 pilgrims received first aid from their emergency treatment points.

She said majority of the affected pilgrims were women, suffering from high blood pressure, musculoskeletal pains, anaemia, diarrhoea and other chronic ailments.

Nakasiita revealed that 10 pilgrims were referred to various hospitals in Kampala for medical management after collapsing at Namugongo.

Pilgrims take 'Holy water'

Children rescued

The Red Cross team also encountered 26 cases involving children and adults who have been separated from their relatives.

Nakasiita revealed that a total of 26 boys and 12 girls were reunited with their parents through phone calls, as they were able to provide contact information for their family members.

Several with ailments were helped.

Namugongo

This year marks 137 years since the martyrs’ execution and at the Catholic Shrine, the celebrations were led by Jinja Diocese under Bishop Charles Martin Wamika under the theme, “Lord increases our faith” (Luke 17:5).

The celebrations drew pilgrims from the different 19 catholic dioceses of Uganda and other pilgrims from all walks of life outside including Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, South Africa, Zambia, among others.

Number of Christians were seen praying in some of the monuments depicting how the martyrs were killed at Namugongo. Some of the sufferings are engraved at the shrine through the different sculptures.

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All photos by Stuart Yiga

The celebrations drew pilgrims from the different 19 catholic dioceses of Uganda and other pilgrims from all walks of life outside including Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, South Africa, Zambia, among others.

It was all about prayer and repentance.

Pilgrims praying

Journalist did their best.