One pilgrim has died from suffocation at Namugongo Martyrs’ shrine in Kampala.
45 year old Beatrice Birungi was among the over 20 pilgrims rushed to Mulago hospital by the Uganda Red Cross after they fainted at Namugongo Martyrs’ shrine this afternoon.
Speaking to KFM at Mulago Hospital, one of the deceased’s relatives said she arrived at the shrine from Mukono on foot yesterday.
She explains that this afternoon while she prayed during the mass the deceased complained of dizziness before she collapsed and was rushed to Mulago hospital together other pilgrims who had also been affected.
Mulago hospital has reserved a special care room for Namugongo victims and doctors and other medical workers are on standby.
Meanwhile , over 3000 people have so-far been treated by the Uganda Red Cross Society at the martyrs’ day celebrations.
According to Joram Musinguzi the Red Cross regional manager, many people have collapsed due the high temperatures and lack of drinking water.
Story by Shamim Nateebwa
