Senior Reporter
As the nation observes Janani Luwum Day, commemorating the legacy of the former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Bishop of Muhabura Diocese in Kisoro District, the Rt Rev Geoffrey Mbitse, has urged Christians to deepen their faith in God.
Janani Luwum was tragically murdered on this day in 1977 by the orders of then-president Idi Amin Dada, alongside former Inspector of Police Wilson Erinayo and former Defense Minister Oboth Ofumbi, for daring to speak out against the injustices of the regime.
In a sermon at St. Andrews Cathedral Seseme in Kisoro municipality, Bishop Mbitse emphasized the importance of walking in the truth of God to navigate the challenges of the world, rather than being consumed by worldly pursuits.
He also encouraged Christians to prioritize prayer over mere fasting, especially as the Lenten period enters its fifth day.
Archbishop Janani Luwum was born in 1924 in Mucwini, Chua in Kitgum District to Eliya Okello and Aireni Aciro. He was educated at Gulu High School and trained as a teacher at Boroboro Teachers College, Lira.
He embraced Christianity in 1948 when he was a teacher, under the guidance and inspiration of the late Evangelist Yusto Amato Otunnu and his wife Josephine, parents of Ambassador Olara Otunnu. Luwum’s conversion so profoundly changed his life that the leadership of the Chosen Evangelical Revival (CER) movement encouraged and supported him to train for ordained ministry.
Luwum ascended through various positions, serving as a parish priest, chaplain in educational institutions, tutor, principal, provincial secretary, Bishop of Northern Uganda Diocese, Archbishop of the Province of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire before he was martyred in 1977.
On February 16, 1977, Archbishop Luwum was martyred at Nakasero, Kampala, by the regime of then-president Idi Amin Dada. His body was taken to the churchyard at Wii Gweng, Mucwini, on February 19, 1977, where he was laid to rest.
