The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah has announced preparations aimed towards commemorating the martyrdom of two Christian teenagers in Agago district, UG Christian News has learnt.
The ruthless killing of Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa, which took place in Paimol Sub county, Agago district nearly a-hundred years ago, is to many Christians a shinning example of selfless dedication to the service of Jesus Christ.
The duo belonged to the Acholi tribe, they lived and were martyred in the years immediately following the foundation of the mission of Kitgum by the Comboni Missionaries in 1915. Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa were martyred on 18 October 1918 and beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2002; an event celebrated each year on 20th October at Wipolo Shrine.
According to a statement from Parliament, deputy speaker Oulanyah was appointed the coordinator of this year’s celebrations by Gulu Archdiocese Archbishop John Baptist Odama. He called on the public to support what he termed ‘the work of God’.
“This year marks 100 years since Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa were martyred. We want to make the celebrations big; the budget is about shs600 million which will support the day’s celebrations and infrastructure such as water supply and construction of dormitories,” said Oulanyah.
Oulanyah was quoted as saying he is honoured to coordinate such an event adding that he is set for a wider campaign to raise shs600m by the end of September 2018.
Daudi was born in a small village north east of Kitgum around 1920. His father and mother were not Christians. He was the first of their children to come into contact with missionaries who had arrived a short while earlier in the area. He was baptised on 6 June 1916 and confirmed four months later at the age of about 14.
Jildo was younger. He was born at Labongo Bar-Kitoba around 1906. He was baptised when he was not quite 10 years old.
By UG Christian News Correspondent.
