As pilgrims flock to Ugandan shrine, authorities narrowly prevent massive terror attack

NAMUGONGO, Uganda (OSV News) — As millions of pilgrims flocked to the famed Ugandan shrine in Namugongo in the days leading to commemoration of the country’s 45 Christian martyrs, local authorities prevented an attempted terror attack in what they said was a swift secret service operation, possibly saving hundreds from imminent death.

Suspected extremists, armed with explosive vests, were killed near the Munyonyo Basilica.

With rosaries in hand, wooden crucifixes around their necks and yellow jerry cans ready to collect holy water, what authorities estimate at ten of thousands of East African pilgrims knelt in prayer June 3 at Uganda’s Catholic Martyrs Shrine of Namugongo in the suburbs of Kampala. They pleaded with the Uganda Martyrs to intercede for them — seeking relief from poverty,