'I Came Using Foot': Jesca Nabukeera’s Walk of Faith That Changed Her Life

Every year, thousands of pilgrims from across Uganda and even beyond walk long distances to Namugongo to participate in the Uganda Martyrs' Day celebrations.

These journeys are often marked by more than just physical endurance. Many pilgrims carry deep emotional and spiritual burdens, hoping that each step taken brings them closer to healing and renewal.

For Jesca Nabukeera, the pilgrimage was exactly a life-changing turning point. Popularly known as “I came using foot,” Nabukeera was among a group who journeyed from Masaka Diocese to the Namugongo Catholic shrines last year.

Her appearance during the pilgrimage raised concern. She looked frail, disoriented, and mentally unwell. Many assumed she was just another struggling soul on the road.

But behind her exhausted eyes was a powerful story of survival and hope.

Nabukeera who walked all the way from Kyamuliibwa in Kalungu District, a journey both physically grueling and emotionally charged.

She was battling a mental illness that had left her isolated from family and community, weighed down by despair. Her decision to join the pilgrimage wasn’t just about faith, it was a cry for transformation, healing, and redemption.

That transformation began at an unexpected place, a fuel station in Kajjansi where she met a woman who changed the course of her life commonly known as Mama glow.

Initially, Maama Glow knew nothing about Nabukeeranot even her name. But she recognised someone in need. Without hesitation, she took her in, despite the uncertainty and challenges ahead.

“At first, it was very hard,” Maama Glow recalled. “She had episodes that frightened us. I lost customers at my salon. People didn’t understand what I was doing.”

Despite the setbacks, Maama Glow remained steadfast. Having lost three children of her own, she believed Nabukeera had entered her life for a reason.

Though older than her, she accepted Nabukeera as a daughter, caring for her with unwavering faith and compassion.

Over the months, Nabukeera began to heal mind, body, and spirit. Her speech became clearer. Her mental state improved. She started helping out in the salon, learning how to braid hair and mix beauty products. The skills sparked something in her: purpose.

“Now I want to become a responsible, hardworking woman,” Nabukeera shared, her voice steady. “That’s something I never thought possible before I walked to Namugongo.”

Nearly a year later, Nabukeera and Maama Glow are preparing to return to Namugongo. This time, not in search of healing, but in thanksgiving for prayers answered, dignity restored, and a life transformed by faith and kindness.

Nabukeera’s journey is not unique. Her story is echoed by countless others who walk the long road to Namugongo every year, burdened by pain but driven by hope. For many, that path becomes the beginning of a new chapter.