By Mike Rwothomio 

Thousands of the faithful from across northern Uganda and DR Congo converged on Friday March 6, 2026 at the Omach pilgrimage site in Pakwach Catholic Parish, Pakwach District, to commemorate the 116th annual Ganal Pilgrimage in a profound act of faith and devotion.

This sacred gathering, organized under the auspices of the Gulu Ecclesiastical Province, which unites the dioceses of Nebbi, Arua, Lira, and Gulu Archdiocese, serves as a solemn remembrance of the arrival of missionaries in the region around 1910.

The annual pilgrimage to Omach honors this foundational moment, drawing believers to reflect on their spiritual heritage and renew their commitment to Christ.

Presiding as main celebrant, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, Bishop of Lira Diocese, delivered a stirring homily centered on healing fractured relationships and embracing God's boundless mercy. 

"Our pilgrimage to Omach here should make us heal relationships; that is the meaning of this pilgrimage," Bishop Wanok proclaimed. He urged the assembled faithful to pursue genuine repentance, turning away from sin to foster reconciled communion with one another through humble submission to divine grace, living in harmony as true disciples.

Animated by the Uleppi Deanery, this year's solemn liturgy adopted the inspiring theme "Pilgrims of Hope, Nourished by the Living Bread", drawn from the Gospel of John 6:51: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever."

The celebration was graced by a distinguished assembly of shepherds, including His Grace Raphael P’omony Wokorach, Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese; Rt. Rev. Dr. Constantine Rupiny, Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese; Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, Bishop of Arua Catholic Diocese; His Grace John Baptist Odama, Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu Archdiocese; and Rt. Rev. Giuseppe Franzeli, Bishop Emeritus of Lira Diocese.

Hon. Catherine Akumu Mavenjina, Member of Parliament for Older Persons in Northern Uganda and Chairperson of the Laity for the Ganal Pilgrimage in the diaspora, praised the pilgrims for their sacrificial trek, calling it a powerful witness to this "historic day of grace."

Pilgrims shared reflections

Omony Gilbert from Lira Diocese noted the timeliness of the call to reconciliation amid lingering tensions."The preaching was all about reconciliation, and I think it is timely given the tense political period we have just been in; there is still a lot of hatred amongst believers." 

Joyce Ayerango from Nyapea Deanery lauded the message of hope, while a young 14-year-old pilgrim from Angal Deanery described the experience as profoundly moving, preparing him for the upcoming historic pilgrimage to the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine in June.

The pilgrims' journey echoes the historic planting of the Gospel seeds in what is now the Nebbi Diocese and broader northern Uganda. In 1910, these early evangelizers, welcomed by local leader Chief Omach at Pakuba along the Albert Nile, established the first mission foothold at Omach, marking the dawn of Catholicism in the area despite challenges such as disease and harsh conditions.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot information hub