Ankole Diocese moves to expand museum honouring Archbishop Luwum

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Christians from different parts of Ankole Diocese on Monday, February 16, gathered at the Ankole Diocese East African Revival Museum grounds to commemorate the life, faith and sacrifice of Archbishop Janani Luwum, the third Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Zaire, who was murdered 49 years ago.

The commemoration also highlighted ongoing plans to further develop the Ankole Diocese East African Revival Museum, which documents the life of Archbishop Luwum and other Christians who spread the word of God in the country, in honour of his courage, devotion and faith.

Rt Rev Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, Bishop of Ankole Diocese, presided over the service, which featured testimonies from elders in the diocese about the life of Archbishop Luwum, who was remembered for standing against injustice.

Ankole Diocese Bishop Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa introducing committee members of the Ankole Diocese East African Revival Museum at the commemoration of Archbishop Luwum’s Day held at Ankole Diocese East African Revival Museum in Mbarara City. (Photo by Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

Archbishop Janani Luwum, who lived between 1922 and 1977, was hailed by different speakers as a fearless advocate for human rights.

Luwum was killed after openly criticising the violent excesses of Idi Amin’s regime, actions that led to his death and made him a prominent martyr within the Anglican community.

He was born in Kitgum district to Acholi parents, Alia Okello and Aylene Achulo.

Addressing hundreds of Christians who attended the service, Bishop Mwesigwa explained that he organised the commemoration to honour Luwum’s courage, devotion and faith. He urged Christians to continue praying and remembering Archbishop Luwum, whom he described as a man of great faith who was committed to the revival movement and passionate about development. He cited Luwum’s role as the originator of the idea of establishing a Church House.

Mwesigwa also announced plans to further develop the Ankole Diocese East African Revival Museum, which documents the life of Archbishop Luwum and other Christians who spread the word of God in the country.

Luwum was the first sitting Archbishop in the entire Anglican Communion to be murdered while in office since the Archbishops of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer and William Laud, were martyred in 1556 and 1645, respectively.

Rev. Canon Edson Abaasa, the Ankole diocesan secretary and chief preacher at the event, encouraged believers to remain steadfast in the spirit of truth, as Archbishop Luwum did, saying this would lead them to a deeper understanding of Jesus and the Word of God.

He also urged them to sacrifice what they have for the sake of the gospel, noting that this would bring a hundredfold reward and eternal life in the age to come.

Amon Mugume, a senior scientist from the Uganda National Museum and chief guest at the event, thanked Ankole Diocese for preserving the memory of Archbishop Luwum through the East African Revival Museum. He encouraged attendees to stand firm in the truth.

He further pledged that the Uganda Museum has a strategic plan to support private institutions, including faith-based tourism projects such as the Ankole Diocese East African Revival Museum.

Rev. Canon William Ganafa, who gave testimony about Archbishop Luwum’s life, praised his faithfulness and condemned the acts of brutality, abductions and other atrocities that occurred during President Idi Amin’s regime.

Rev. Abraham Ahabwe urged Christians in the diocese and across the country to emulate Archbishop Luwum’s courage and active faith, which defended the rights of others. He noted that Luwum was murdered because he refused to abandon the flock entrusted to him and chose to confront Idi Amin rather than remain silent in the face of widespread suffering.