KITGUM, UGANDA – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has led the nation in commemorating the 49th anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Janani Luwum, using the solemn occasion to draw a stark contrast between principled leadership and the brutal authoritarianism of the Idi Amin era.
Joined by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the President attended a national memorial service in Kitgum District on Sunday, February 16, under the theme “Anchored in Christ for Stability, Peace and Unity.” Following the service, the presidential couple laid wreaths at Wii-Gweng in Mucwini, the final resting place of Archbishop Luwum and his wife, Mama Mary Lawil Luwum.
Archbishop Janani Luwum, a towering figure of faith and courage, was murdered in 1977 after he bravely condemned the rampant human rights abuses, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings that defined the regime of dictator Idi Amin.
In his keynote address, President Museveni reflected on the dangers of tyranny, using Amin’s rule as a cautionary tale. He identified Amin’s first grave error as his seizure of power through a military coup in 1971. Recalling his own position as a research assistant in the President’s Office at the time, Museveni narrated how he learned of the coup and, within days, chose resistance over submission.
The President condemned Amin’s second major error: the use of murder to silence opposition. While acknowledging Uganda’s history of armed struggle, Museveni asserted that he has always rejected the path of political assassination. He recalled turning down a proposal from fellow fighters to assassinate then-army commander Oyite Ojok, stating that such cowardly acts were unjust, even in conflict. He expressed satisfaction that the perpetrators of atrocities during Amin’s time ultimately failed, and that the sacrifices of martyrs like Luwum and Ben Kiwanuka were not in vain.
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, welcomed pilgrims from across the nation, emphasizing that the commemoration was about more than just an individual. “It is about faith, justice, and the values he preached,” Archbishop Kaziimba said. He called on Ugandans to remain anchored in Christ, drawing inspiration from Luwum’s message of reconciliation and peace.
The commemoration also served as a platform to highlight ongoing development. President Museveni thanked the people of Northern Uganda for their continued electoral support, which he attributed to the government's focus on infrastructure and service delivery. He cited the extension of electricity, improved roads, and the construction of schools and health centers, noting that such efforts have helped eliminate diseases like guinea worm and, through programs like the Parish Development Model, are moving households into the money economy.
The President also addressed local security concerns, pledging to personally look into reports of renewed cattle rustling in the East Acholi region. In a gesture of support for the local clergy, he fulfilled a pledge of Shs60 million to the Priests of Kitgum Diocese.
Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity, Hon. Rose Lilly Akello, announced ambitious plans to develop the Archbishop Luwum memorial site into an international pilgrimage center. She revealed that the Luwum family has already offered the land, a draft master plan is complete, and projects for a primary school, hospital, and administrative block are in the pipeline.
Kitgum District Woman MP and Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Hon. Lillian Aber, praised Luwum’s enduring moral influence, particularly among the Acholi people. She thanked the President for his role in bringing peace to a region that suffered under the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) for over two decades. “Because of your steadfast commitment to peace and stability, we now enjoy peace and security,” she stated.
The day’s events, attended by a host of ministers, Members of Parliament, and religious and cultural leaders, served as a powerful reminder of Archbishop Janani Luwum’s sacrifice and a call for leadership anchored in service, unity, and peace.
