Mary Luwum's body lies in state at Parliament

TRIBUTE | MARY LUWUM

KAMPALA - The body of Mary Luwum, wife of fallen former Archbishop of Uganda Janani Luwum, lay in state in Parliament on Thursday for MPs to pay their respects to a woman described as one whose testimony inspired many people.

She died Tuesday last week at the age of 93, 42 years after her husband's death.

Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda attended Luwum's lying-in-state, which began mid-morning.

 

Uganda's black, red and yellow flag was draped over the white casket carrying the remains of Mary Luwum, who is survived by six children and grandchildren.

 

MPs, family and friends attended the ritual, seen sat in silent reflection.

 

Luwum breathed her last at International Hospital Kampala (IHK), after what the Church of Uganda described as a "courageous battle with cancer of the gallbladder". 

 

Those who attended her lying-in-state signed in Parliament's visitor's book.

 

The ritual was animated by a band.

 

At 93, Luwum outlived her husband, who died at the age of 55.

 

Last week, Archbishop Stanley Ntagali said: "Mama Mary has been a faithful witness to her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ for many years. Like her husband, her testimony has inspired many and will live on. We commend her to her Lord and pray for their family and all who grieve her passing."

 

At Parliament on Thursday, Arua Municipality MP Kassiano Wadri sat next to General Duties minister Mary Karooro Okurut.

 

In its statement last week, the Church of Uganda said Mary Luwum will be remembered as not being ashamed of the Gospel and as one who "supported her husband's decision to not flee Uganda when threatened by then President Idi Amin".

 

In 2015, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni declared February 16 to be a public holiday in memory of Archbishop Luwum's martyrdom and his faithful and sacrificial service to the church and the country.

 

Mary Luwum, who was an orphan living with a relative in Mican in Kitgum district, met her future husband Janani when he was a primary school teacher at Kitgum Primary School in 1947.

 

Together, Mary and Janani had nine children, among them; Ben Luwum, Jollie Luwum Adriko, Irene Luwum Ocaya, Andrew Luwum, Phoebe Aber Luwum and Amos Luwum.

 

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