Over 200 Foot Pilgrims Set off for St Janani Luwum Commemoration

The Northern Uganda Diocese has flagged off over 200 foot pilgrims from Gulu City on a four-day journey ahead of the 48th anniversary of St. Janani Luwum, the former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda. The pilgrims, comprising men and women of all ages, were flagged off by Northern Uganda Diocesan Secretary Kenneth Oyet at 6:10 a.m. on Monday from St. Philip’s Cathedral in Bardege-Layibi Division, Gulu City.

The annual commemoration will take place on February 16 at Wigweng village in Mucwini Sub-county, Kitgum District, the birthplace and burial site of St. Janani Luwum. This year’s anniversary will be celebrated under the theme: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Alfred Polo Luwum, one of the pilgrims told Uganda Radio Network in an interview that this year’s pilgrimage is mainly to help him pray for the success of his coming wedding this year. He also noted that he chose to walk on foot in memory of St Jani Luwum to seek for blessing for learners who have resumed studies in various schools and cleansing for the Acholi Sub-region.

Luwum noted that it’s his second time walking to Mucwini to commemorate St Janani uwum adding that from his past experience, the pilgrimage helped him overcome a number of challenges he went through. Walter Odong, the Chairperson Organizing Committee for the foot pilgrims noted that the pilgrims comprise of people from different religion who sacrificed their time to walk in faith in remembrance of the good work of St Janani Luwum.

Odong noted that the pilgrims are expected to spend a total of four days on their journey to Kitgum District covering more than 120 kilometers.

Luo Bite

//Cue in: “Ma wan wa…

Cue out:..mucwini I wiigweng.”//

English

//Cue in: “This is a…

Cue out:…pray with God.”//

Paska Akello, another pilgrim from Koch Goma Sub- County in Nwoya District says its her third time walking to commemorate the life of St Janani Luwum. Akello says he main reason for taking the long journey is to seek for blessing for her family and the country. She notes that at the moment, her children aren’t in school because she lacks school fees adding that through the pilgrimage, she hopes to get the blessing for the family.

This year’s celebration is expected to be graced by President Yoweri Museveni. 

About St Janani Luwum 

Luwum was the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire from 1974 to 1977. He was killed on February 16 by President Iddi Amin's emissaries.