Four Kenyan pilgrims walking to Namugongo in Uganda killed in road accident

Pilgrims from Nangina Parish ready to start walking to Namugongo to visit Martyrs Catholic Shrine. [Ignatious Odanga/Standard]

At least four Kenyan pilgrims who were walking to Namugongo’s Martyrs Catholic Shrine in Uganda died when they were hit by a matatu on Sunday morning.

Two of the victims were from Kisoko Parish while the other two were from Naitiri Parish, which are both under Bungoma Catholic Diocese.

The victims were among the about 150 pilgrims who were heading to Namugongo for this year's martyr's day to be marked on June 3.

John Opondo from Kisoko who was with other pilgrims said that at about 5am when it was raining; public service vehicle that was heading to Busia from Kampala rammed into them at Iganga, killing two on the spot while two died others at Iganga hospital. 

" It was raining and the road was so slippery when the accident happened, " said Opondo.

The four bodies were scheduled to be brought and handed over to the Kenyan government at the Busia border later today.

Kenyan pilgrims trek every year to join their Ugandan faithful in remembrance of the Ugandan martyrs who lost their lives because of their faith.