Pilgrims kick-start foot pilgrimage for Luwum

Jan 29, 2020

The pilgrims started their journey from St Paul Cathedral, Namirembe, proceeding to the Archbishop's residence and will continue to Mucwini, Kitgum.

RELIGION   ANGLICAN     

KAMPALA - Hundreds of pilgrims Wednesday set off for the 510-kilometre journey to Kitgum in commemoration of Janani Luwum's life.

The pilgrims started their journey from St Paul Cathedral, Namirembe, proceeding to the Archbishop's residence, Kampala Serena hotel proceeded to State House Nakasero and will continue to Mucwini, Kitgum in northern Uganda.

The excited pilgrims who were anxious and enthusiastic about the journey sang songs of praises, amidst ululations in remembrance of their hero Luwum.

  etty can the ember of arliament for ulu istrict sharing a light moment with rancis ulungi the  chief of staff and onahasa rancis the ember of arliament for abweri constituencyhoto by immy uta (L-R) Betty Ocan, the Member of Parliament for Gulu District sharing a light moment with Francis Mulungi, the UPC chief of staff and Gonahasa Francis, the Member of Parliament for Kabweri constituency.Photo by Jimmy Outa

 
The foot pilgrimage was launched last year by the Prime Minister of Uganda, Ruhakana Rugunda, together with the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda (COU), Stanley Ntagali as a form of remembrance and honour to Luwum.

The provincial secretary of the COU William Ongeng said the pilgrimage will be a gesture of remembrance of Luwum's extraordinary life and also give Christians a chance to strengthen their faith.

He added that the pilgrims will walk for 14 days to Mucwini. 

"We are so ready to honour this journey as we celebrate our hero Janani Luwum and we expect to move for 14 days for the 510 kilometres up to our destination," Ongeng emphasized.

Rev. Canon Geoffrey Byarugaba the Chair of the Provincial House of Clergy asked Ugandans at large to draw lessons from this pilgrimage because it will help them grow spiritually.

Byarugaba added that the political leaders should emulate Luwum's humble nature if they are to successfully lead the people.

The former Uganda People's Congress (UPC) president Olara Otunnu said that the foot pilgrimage was a gesture of unity amongst Ugandans.

 ilgrims waving to people as after commencing the pilgrimage in memory of anan uwum photo by immy uta Pilgrims waving to people as after commencing the pilgrimage in memory of Janan Luwum. photo by Jimmy Outa

 
"This journey is a thanksgiving activity for the martyrdom of Janani Luwum and what he was fighting for. Janani is a great national hero of this country and we as Christians should imitate his humble nature," Otunnu said.

Otunnu advised that Ugandans should endeavour to take commitment to human rights seriously just like Luwum.

Janani Luwum 

Luwum was archbishop of Church of Uganda from 1974 to 1977. He was murdered on February 16, 1977, on the orders of the then president of Uganda, Idi Amin Dada over allegations of wanting to overthrow the government. 

Archbishop Luwum was the head of the Anglican ecclesiastical province, which was then composed of four countries (Burundi, Eastern Congo, Rwanda and Uganda).

The government of Uganda declared February 16, every year, a public holiday to commemorate his life and martyrdom.

David Mwaka one of the pilgrims said he was so excited about this walk because it symbolizes unity without discrimination amongst the citizens.

 
"Irrespective of where we come from, Janani died for all of us. Because of his death, we now have peace in the country; Janani taught us to value everything that God gave us and that's why we have embarked on this journey in his memory," Mwaka expounded. 

Mwaka further urged all Ugandans to join them on the journey to celebrate Janani's life.

Phoebe Aber Luwum, the second last born of the late Archbishop commented that her father was a hero and a role model to many.

"We need to look up to people who inspire us, people who practice what they preach because the world we are in today is not as it was in the past," Aber said

 

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