Pilgrims stranded, children lost, arrests made: A familiar ending to Martyrs’ Day celebrations

The spiritual high of Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations once again ended in logistical heartbreak for thousands of pilgrims left stranded at Namugongo Catholic Shrine, with authorities scrambling to respond to the now-annual crisis.

Following a historic turnout of over 1.5 million faithful including contingents from Kenya and Tanzania, the roads leading out of Namugongo turned into holding grounds for weary pilgrims, many of whom waited in vain for return transport.

“It is a sad sight every year,” admitted Rev. Father Vincent Lubega, Parish Priest of Namugongo. “We are working with relevant authorities to ensure all pilgrims return safely, but it’s clear that our systems are overwhelmed.”

The Catholic shrine, which stood as a beacon of spiritual unity yesterday, has now turned into a site of confusion and fatigue as buses delayed or failed to show up. Some pilgrims, especially those from Kenya and Tanzania, have resorted to sleeping on church grounds.

Adding to the chaos, police revealed they are currently sheltering 24 children who were separated from their parents during the celebrations, a heartbreaking routine that now mirrors the annual pilgrimage.

“Sixteen girls and eight boys are currently in our care,” said Carolyn Kushemererwe of the Police Child and Family Protection Department. “We’ve set up a tent specifically for such emergencies, but the numbers continue to grow.”

She warned that unclaimed children would be transferred to Kampala Central Police Station if not reunited with their families by today. Reports of more missing children are still coming in.

Meanwhile, law enforcement was also busy curbing criminal activity. According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Oweyesigire, at least 40 individuals were arrested for offences ranging from phone snatching to public disorder.

“Despite the incidents, we worked with sister agencies to maintain peace,” Oweyesigire said.

Yet the lingering question remains: Why does this happen every year?

Martyrs’ Day is one of Uganda’s most sacred national religious events, drawing believers from across East Africa. But year after year, scenes of lost children, stranded pilgrims, and arrests dominate post-celebration headlines.

As stakeholders and security officials hold post-mortem meetings today to evaluate the event, many are calling for long-term solutions to transportation planning, child protection, and crowd management.

“This day is meant for spiritual renewal,” said one tired pilgrim from Kenya. “But instead, it ends in frustration, hunger, and fear. We love coming here, but something has to change.”

With next year’s pilgrimage already in many calendars, the pressure is now on authorities and organizers to ensure that 2026 doesn’t end the same way, with faith tested not in the pews, but in the aftermath.