By Tolit Ivan
Ronald Ojok, one of the 225 foot pilgrims from Gulu Archdiocese, died on Monday of unknown illness as they trek to the Uganda Martyrs shrine Namugongo ahead of this year’s Martyr celebrations on June 3, 2024.
The foot pilgrims departed for Uganda Martyrs shrine Namugongo on Sunday for the more than 350kms walk.
Ojok (30), a pilgrim from Orum village in Koch Lii sub county, Nwoya district died at around 12:15 pm from St Janani Loum Senior Secondary School where the foot pilgrims were resting.
The deceased allegedly suffered epileptic attack on Saturday on reaching Kakoge in Nakasongola district and recovered after being given first aid.
On Sunday, the deceased allegedly suffered another sudden sickness and was taken to St Mary’s Hemoas Health centre II where he was diagnosed with malaria.
According to reports, Ojok was later referred to Bombo Military hospital where he was put on treatment and advised to take a bed rest. However at around 12:15 pm, he was found unresponsive on his bed and declared dead.
Revered Father, Seraphina Opiyo, the Coordinator of the Foot Pilgrims from Gulu Archdiocese, confirmed the unfortunate incident.
Each year, Christians of various walks of life embark on a pilgrimage to Namugongo to honor the memory of 45 Christian converts (22 Catholics and 23 Protestants) who were martyred between 1885 and 1886 under the command of Kabaka Mwanga II the then King of Buganda.
This year’s celebrations to be animated by the Nebbi Catholic Diocese will be commemorated under the theme “But as for me, and my household we shall serve the Lord,” taken from the book of Joshua 24:15.
