Today marks exactly 47 years since Archbishop Janani Luwum was brutally murdered, under the then military government of General Idi Amin Dada in Uganda.
His devotion to Christ, and exemplary leadership remain a source of inspiration to multitudes across the globe. It was in 2015 that President Museveni declared 16th February an official public holiday, noting that the cleric’s murder was a “shame and tragedy” to Uganda.
Janani Luwum was born in 1922 in Mucwini, Chua, to Eliya Okello and Aireni Aciro. His father was a convert to Christianity. He was sent to school and eventually became a schoolteacher.
Janani Luwum accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour in 1948.
Official documents from the Church of Uganda indicate that his conversion was so deep that he gave up teaching to join Church ministry full-time. He went to Buwalasi Theological College to train for the ministry, and later became its Principal.
Reports indicate that he was a very active member of the East African revival movement, wherefrom he became a lay reader, then a deacon, and then a priest in 1956, visiting (by bicycle) 24 congregations in a district with a 40-mile radius.
In 1969 Janani Luwum was consecrated bishop of Northern Uganda. He later rose through the ranks to become the 2nd Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zaire in 1974.
It was during this time that Idi Amin seized power from Milton Obote, and immediately started a reign of terror against anyone he considered an enemy.
For Christmas 1976, Luwum gave a message of peace on Radio Uganda. But when the message began to mentioned some elements that contributed to the destruction of peace, the government-sponsored radio cut him off and switched to a different sermon. That evening on radio, Amin complained that “some preachers are preaching for bloodshed” and accused them of treason.
On February 13, 1977, after midnight, Luwum received an angry call from Amin, who ranted and raved for a while. The next day, the minister of cabinet affairs called Luwum to a personal meeting with the president. The proceeding events saw the cleric arrested without lawful justification, and later killed.
Anniversary Celebrations
Madi and Nile West dioceses are today, leading prayers at Wii-Gweng in Muchini sub-county, Kitgum district to mark the 47th murder anniversary of the late Archbishop Janani Luwum.
Celebrations are held under the theme “Hope Beyond Afflictions” inspired by Lamentations 3:21-26.
The commemoration is organised by the Church of Uganda, in collaboration with the Directorate for Ethics and Integrity, the local organising commitee based in Kitgum and the family of Luwum.
