The local organising committee for the 50th anniversary of St Janani Luwum's death has requested Archbishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu to mobilise government and partners to develop the martyr's memorial site in Kitgum. The committee, led by Can. Gladys Oyat, wants a prayer arena built at the site, which would provide a permanent place for prayer and commemoration of St Janani Luwum. The archbishop's involvement is crucial in rallying support for the project, which is a priority for Christians in the diocese.
St Janani Luwum, the former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, was killed on February 16, 1977, on the orders of former President Idi Amin. His death was a result of his criticism of state-sanctioned violence and human rights abuses. Every year on February 16, his burial site at Wii-Gweng in Mucwini, Kitgum District, serves as a central point of pilgrimage, and it is an official national public holiday. The site has significant importance for Christians, and the proposed prayer arena would enhance its status as a place of worship and commemoration.
Can. Gladys Oyat drew a comparison between Archbishop Kazimba's efforts to mobilise Christians to support the Church of Uganda during financial difficulties and the current request to build the prayer arena. She expressed confidence in the archbishop's ability to rally support, saying, "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." Oyat appealed to the archbishop to use his influence to secure government and well-wisher support for the project.
The government has expressed interest in developing the Mucwini site as part of its strategy to boost household incomes through regional religious tourism. 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 underway. 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.
An inter-ministerial technical team from the government has visited the site, and a comprehensive site master plan is under final review. The plan will outline the infrastructure strategy for the site, which is expected to attract tourists and pilgrims. Rubarema emphasized that the government is committed to seeing real work done at the site and appealed to the organizing committee to mobilise people from across East Africa and other parts of Africa to participate in developing and commemorating the site.
The event where the request was made was attended by prominent figures, including the Bishop of Kitgum Diocese, retired bishops, Members of Parliament, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), and local civic and religious leaders. Archbishop Kazimba's farewell visit to Kitgum Diocese provided the opportunity for the request to be made, with his retirement scheduled for 2027. The archbishop's legacy and influence are expected to play a significant role in securing support for the prayer arena project.
The 50th anniversary commemoration of St Janani Luwum's death is scheduled for January 16, 2027. The local organising committee, with government support, aims to make the event a significant milestone in the history of the Church of Uganda. The proposed prayer arena at the memorial site is expected to be a lasting legacy for St Janani Luwum and a symbol of the church's commitment to its heritage.
Key points
- The Kitgum diocese seeks government and partner support to build a prayer arena at the St Janani Luwum memorial site.
- The project aims to enhance the site's status as a place of worship and commemoration, attracting tourists and pilgrims.
- The 50th anniversary commemoration of St Janani Luwum's death is scheduled for January 16, 2027.
