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Bernard Tibyangye with other pilgrims walking to Namugongo
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Bernard Tibyangye is 104-years old and a retired Catholic catechist from Rwakashoma Sub-Parish, St. Andrea Kaggwa Bushenyi Parish, Mbarara Archdiocese, making his 54th pilgrimage to the Namugongo Shrines.
Tibyangye, at his age is still managing a 340-km trek from Bushenyi to Namugongo with a lot of determination.
Mzee Tibyangye started the journey on foot on Monday, May 13 together with other 37 pilgrims from Bushenyi.
However, after trekking a reasonable distance because of his old age, he boarded a car to Namugongo where he is napping until June 3.
"I came with my fourth daughter, Teddy Nuwagaba (64), and this was always my wish for my family members to come to Namugongo for more than one day," he says in a soft but steady voice.
"This year, I am here to give praise and thank God," he says.
“I am old, but I want even the young to take responsibility. As long as I am not sick, I don’t see any problem. Taking the pilgrimage on foot increased my faith and spirituality. Today, my heart is willing to walk, but the body communicates other plans," Tibyangye says.
He adds that; "my pilgrimage is to thank God and appreciate him for everything he is doing for me”.
Tibyangye recalls, “My first time was in August 1969, when Pope Paul VI visited Uganda’’.
He recalled that in 1969, during Pope Paul VI's visit (the pope who canonised the martyrs), he got a chance to come to Namugongo. "It was a surprise; as a catechist, they paid for me to come and represent others from my home parish," he said.
Benard Tibyangye in a group of 38, trekking to Namugongo for this year's pilgrimage.
Tibyangye was in Namugongo records and, in 2022, received a pilgrimage award from Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
He says that for those who trek, it is not in vain. "A pilgrimage is a sacrifice. Imagine the Uganda Martyrs; they used to move from Mityana to Nalukolongo. What about us, who move only once a year? I wish all the Pilgrims from around the world God's blessings," he said.
He further reveals, God has done so many things for me, and paying a pilgrimage is thanking Him for whatever He has done for me. Who am I, Tibyangye, who is still alive at my age? I am not looking for miracles. Every time I go on pilgrimage, I get “indulgence,” a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins.
Tibyangye’s unthreatened life
He believes it is through divine intervention that he rarely falls sick. "If you ask me how I manage to stay healthy despite my advanced age, I will not give you answers. All I know is that I am one person who rarely, if ever, gets sick. How do I stay healthy? It must be God," he beams, revealing his favourite meal is sweet potatoes and fresh boiled beans.
According to his fellow pilgrim, Richard Bagyerina, Mzee Tibyangye is a determined, strong man and a good example to their parish (St. Andrea Kaggwa Bushenyi).
He added that Tibyangye has greatly challenged them because when people see him moving at his age, it increases their faith.
Born in 1921, he was baptised at 13 years old.
His parents were Peter Buyugwe and Bernadette Bayoroba (RIP) of Kyamuhunga in Bushenyi district.
He served as a catechist in the Catholic Church for 45 years. He is blessed with 15 children among them, a nun and a catechist.
