The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kitgum, Uganda | URN | The local organising committee for the 50th anniversary of St Janani Luwum has asked Archbishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu to mobilise government and other partners to develop the martyr’s memorial site in Kitgum, including construction of a prayer arena.
Can. Gladys Oyat, chairperson of the local organising committee, appealed during Archbishop Kazimba’s farewell visit to Kitgum Diocese on Saturday, saying development of the site should form part of his legacy before his retirement in 2027.
Oyat said the prayer arena is a priority for Christians in the diocese and would provide a permanent place for prayer and commemoration of St Janani Luwum, the former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda who was killed in 1977.
“Please add to your legacy by working with the government and other partners to advance the development of St Janani Luwum site, specifically the prayer arena, a cause that is dear to the Christians of this diocese,” Oyat said.
She appealed to the Archbishop to use his influence to rally government and well-wishers behind the project as the Church prepares to commemorate 50 years on January 16th 2027, since the death of St Janani Luwum.
Oyat drew a comparison with Archbishop Kazimba’s efforts to mobilise Christians to support the Church of Uganda during the financial difficulties surrounding Church House in Kampala.
“During the campaign to save Church House, you declared, ‘Yes, we can.’ Today we also respond to you and say yes, you can have the prayer arena built as we celebrate the 50th year commemoration of St Janani Luwum,” she said.
Speaking at the same event, and ahead of the launch of preparations for the 50th anniversary of St Janani Luwum, Mr. Justus Rubarema, Assistant Commissioner for Religious Affairs at the Directorate for Ethics and Integrity, confirmed that national preparations for the Golden Jubilee anniversary are already underway.
Representing the Permanent Secretary, Dunstan Baraba, Rubarema revealed that a National Organizing Committee, co-chaired by the Directorate for Ethics and Integrity and the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, has begun bi-weekly planning meetings in Kampala to coordinate with local committees in Kitgum.
Rubarema emphasized that government interest in developing the Mucwini site aligns with its strategy to boost household incomes through regional religious tourism.
“An inter-ministerial technical team from the government has already visited the site. Government is committed to seeing real work done at the site. Tourism is a key growth vector, and Kitgum holds immense potential for religious tourism.”
He noted that a comprehensive site master plan is currently under final review and will be announced soon to outline the infrastructure strategy.
Rubarema appealed to the organizing committee for the golden jubilee to include mobilising people from across East Africa and other parts of Africa to participate in developing and commemorating the site.
“This is the time to mobilise our neighbours and tell them St Janani Luwum is being commemorated now 50 years, so we want to talk about the activities which will be held and ensure they contribute to the occasion,” he said.
Archbishop Janani Luwum was murdered on February 16, 1977, on the orders of former President Idi Amin after criticizing state-sanctioned violence and human rights abuses. His burial site at Wii-Gweng in Mucwini, Kitgum District, serves as a central point of pilgrimage each year on February 16, an official national public holiday.
The event was attended by the Bishop of Kitgum Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Wilson Kitara, retired bishops, Members of Parliament, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), and local civic and religious leaders.
