“Archbishop Janani Luwum was a humble patriotic & Martyr of Christ” says Bishop Akanjuna.

By Our Reporter

KABALE- The bishop of the diocese of Kigezi, the Rt Rev Gaddie Akanjuna has described the late archbishop Janani Luwum as a humble patriotic and Martyr of Christ.

Bishop Akanjuna said this while giving his attribute about the late archbishop Janani Luwum who served as the Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zaire (Eastern DR Congo) in a press with our reporter at diocesan headquarters, Rugarama hill in Kabale Municipality.

Bishop Akanjuna said that Janani Luwum’s leadership focused not only on preaching and spreading the Word of God, but also on the holistic development of people and communities. He repeatedly appealed to Ugandans to live together peacefully and in harmony and was among the early visionaries for the sustainability of the Church through the Church House Project.

Bishop Akanjuna asked Christians to be inspired by his character, teachings, deeds, courage, faith of being patriotic and a servanthood priest. He also implored Christians to always stand firm whenever faced with challenges, shun away from fear and face challenges with courage as Janani did.

Archbishop Janani Jakaliya Luwum was the archbishop of the Church of Uganda from 1974 to 1977 and one of the most influential leaders of the modern church in Africa.

He was arrested in February 1977 and died shortly after at the age of 55. Although the official account describes a car crash, it is generally accepted that he was murdered on the orders of then-President Idi Amin who accused him of being an agent of the exiled former president Milton Obote, and for planning to stage a coup. Since 2015 Uganda has a public holiday on 16 February, to celebrate the life of Janani Luwum.

The 46th commemoration function of the Late Archbishop Janani Luwum will be held today in Mucwini in Kitgum District and will be led by the archbishop of the church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu who arrived yesterday evening.