At least one pilgrim died after covering more than 290kms en route to Namugongo in Wakiso District for the annual June 3 Martyrs’ Day celebration.

On Thursday, Aswa County lawmaker Simon Peter Wokorach revealed that Ronald Ojok was part of about 250 pilgrims from Northern Uganda before he was pronounced dead in Luwero District.
Wokorach explained that Ojok felt unwell as they approached Luwero District, which prompted them to take him to Emus Health Centre II for medical checkup, and he was diagnosed with malaria.

Wokorach said the medical team from Bombo Hospital rushed to the scene and took the body to the health facility’s mortuary for postmortem.
According to Wokorach, the body was still at the mortuary and expected to be transported to Nwoya District on June 3.

Tentative funeral plans show Ojok will be buried June 5th in his ancestral Koch-lii Village in Nwoya District.
Over 2.5 million people, most of them trekkers from Uganda and neighbouring East African countries, are expected to grace this year’s Martyr’s Day.

The day is commemorated in memory of 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican converts executed on the orders of Kabaka (King) Mwanga between 1885 and 1887.