By Priscah Atuhaire,
REGIONAL
Pilgrims from Kitwe Parish in Ntungamo District on Saturday had their 393KM journey cut short after one of their members was knocked by a speeding car on the way to Namugongo martyrs shrine
The deceased is Joventa Tukahiirwa, 54,a resident of Kitwe Ntungamo. She was among the 44 pilgrims who were flagged off on Wednesday last week to start their 393km trek to Namugongo martyrs shrine by Rev. Fr. Deo Mugisha.
The Christian who ws on her 4th time pilgrimage however did not make to Namugongo after a speeding car knocked her at a place called Kageti in Kiruhura District, about 30km from Mbarara City, on Saturday at around 4pm
According to eye witnesses, Tukahirwa was trying to cross the road when the fateful incident happened.
“It is sad we lost one of our pilgrims when a speeding vehicle that was coming from behind them knocked her and she died an hour later at Born Medical Centre in Lyantonde Town,” Fr Mugisha said.
According to the priest, the pilgrim forgot to inform the team leader to ensure safety and cross the road only to have her life ended.
“The pilgrims were supposed to inform the leader of the group to stop the team and ensure that she crosses safely but she crossed suddenly without informing anybody and got hit by the vehicle,” he said.
Half of the pilgrims were forced to curt short their journey and returned to Ntungamo to attend her burial.
Julius Muheki, a catechist at Rweera Catholic Church, who was with the group said Tukahirwa was on her fourth walk to Namugongo and had never encountered any problem before.
“For me, it is my sixth time walking and she was making her fourth. But God chose to make her a martyr and we shall continue to pray for her soul,” he said.
The DPC Kiruhura Joe Komakech said the killer vehicle and the driver are still being held at Sanga Police Station.
“After the incident on Saturday, Sanga police rushed to the scene and took the victim to the nearest health facility,” he said.
Komakech blamed the accident on speeding and the deceased’s failure to follow the traffic guidelines.
