President Museveni hails late Bishop Ogwal-Abwang’s courage

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The body of Bishop Emeritus Dr Benoni Y. Ogwal-Abwang was laid to rest on June 14, 2025, at his ancestral home in Adilang, Agago district, beside the grave of his late wife, Dr Alice Ogwal.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni praised the late bishop for his courage in standing up to the dictatorial leadership of Idi Amin in the 1970s.

In a written condolence message read to mourners, President Museveni expressed sadness and shock over the death of the fourth Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda, who passed away in Gulu city.

He said the country had lost a courageous and principled religious leader who dedicated his life to serving God and His people.

“Therefore, we are not only mourning his (Ogwal-Abwang’s) death, but also celebrating his life and legacy. During the time of his death and loss, I stand with the bereaved family. And I pray that you (bereaved family) find comfort and solace in God’s promise of eternity,” the president’s message read.

Bishop Ogwal-Abwang died on May 11, 2025, after a week-long admission to the intensive care unit at St Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu city, where he was receiving treatment for breathing complications. He was born in October 1942.

Northern Uganda state minister Dr Kenneth Omona Olusegun delivered the President’s speech to hundreds of mourners during the burial service held at Adilang Primary School in Adilang subcounty, Agago district.

President Museveni noted that Bishop Ogwal-Abwang’s death had robbed both the Church of Uganda and the country of a humble and committed servant of God.

“I wish to salute his (fallen bishop Ogwal-Abwang’s) contribution in Northern Uganda, especially during the turbulent political period under the late President Idi Amin. He (Ogwal-Abwang) became bishop of DNU during the darkest hour of Amin’s regime, when his indisciplined army was terrorising people. Some key religious leaders who dared to speak against Amin’s dictatorship and extra-judicial killings faced persecution, death, and exile. The late St Janani Luwum is the most glaring example, but there were other Ugandans who suffered a similar fate,” Museveni said in his message.

He noted that Bishop Ogwal-Abwang had fled into exile in 1971.

The bishop fled Uganda again in 1977 following the brutal killing of St Janani Luwum. He returned in 1979 with other exiled Anglican clerics but went into exile once more in the 1980s.

Bishop Ogwal-Abwang served as the Anglican bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda from 1974 to 1989.

He succeeded the late Archbishop Janani Luwum, who became Archbishop of the Province of the Church of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zaire until his assassination on February 16, 1977, reportedly on the orders of President Idi Amin.

President Museveni enclosed a condolence contribution of sh10m, which was handed to the bereaved family by Minister Omona.

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of the Province of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, described the late bishop as a true father in God, a shepherd of souls, and a beacon of Christ’s love.

The Archbishop’s message was delivered by Prof. Dr Alfred Olwa, the Anglican Bishop of Lango, during the requiem mass at St Philip Cathedral in Gulu city on June 13, 2025 and at the burial service in Adilang the next day.

Dr Kaziimba stated: “Bishop Benoni was not only a preacher in word, but a living testament to the message he preached. He was a deeply practical preacher, whose life radiated the grace, mercy, and unconditional love of God.”

He added that Bishop Ogwal-Abwang exemplified extraordinary forgiveness, even extending grace to the person who had taken the life of his own son.

“His such profound forgiveness could only flow from a soul deeply anchored in Christ. His ability to love and forgive, even in pain, was a rare and holy gift,” Kaziimba added.

The Archbishop said the late bishop lived with humility and generosity. He never sought recognition or fame, but always reached out to his flock.

He freely shared his time, wisdom, home, and heart, bringing healing, peace, and hope.

“The Archbishop re-echoed that Bishop Abwang lived his faith with grace, courage, and boundless love. His memory will remain etched in our hearts, and his example will continue to guide us.”