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Agago, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The commemoration to mark the 102nd anniversary for the martyrdom of Jildo Irwa and Daudi Okello in Agago District will only be attended by 70 Christians due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Annually, thousands of Christians flock Wi-Polo Martyrs shrine in Paimol Sub County on October 20 to commemorate the lives of the martyrs who devoted their lives to spread Christianity.
Jacob Amooti, the Acting Resident District Commissioner also chairperson district covid-19 taskforce revealed on Thursday that the decision is in line with the presidential directives on curbing the spread of covid-19.
Amooti says they intend to have manageable numbers of Christians and avoid the spread of the contagion.
His statement comes shortly after Rev Fr Joseph Okumu, the Rector Wi-polo Paimol Martyrs shrine was the commemoration had earlier said they expect to host at least 500 Christians next week.
Amooti noted that there was no way they would allow 500 people to congregate at a time the district registered covid-19 cases in a short period.
Agago district has so far registered a total of 37 cases of covid-19 within just three weeks.
He says they are working hand in hand with Paimol Martyr’s shrine officials on the best ways of ensuring the prayers go on smoothly without any risks of covid-19 spread.
Fr Okumu on Tuesday said that they are set to host Christians who will turn up for the prayers.
He says the shrine has adequate hand washing facilities and spacious seats for pilgrims which would effectively host 500 Christians without putting them at risk of spreading covid-19.
Already five pilgrims who started trekked for 164 kilometres from Gulu city on Sunday arrived at Paimol Martyrs today ahead of the main celebration on Tuesday next week.
Blessed Okelo and Irwa were Acholi catechists killed around 1918 for devoting their lives in teaching Christianity. They were beatified by his holiness Pope John Paul II on October 20, 2002, among the 22 other Roman Catholic martyrs in Uganda.
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