The Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi, has described the late Archbishop St. Janani Luwum as a great advocate for justice and respect for human rights.

In his special message issued on Friday, February 16, 2024, to commemorate the day on which St. Luwum was murdered, LOP Ssenyonyi asked the government to uphold human rights.

“If we truly want to celebrate him, it’s not enough to set aside a public holiday in his remembrance. Let’s honour what he advocated for by ensuring that justice prevails, and let’s respect the rights of all Ugandans regardless of their political beliefs,” LOP Ssenyonyi tweeted on his official x-handle.

The 47th commemoration of St. Janani Luwum Day is being celebrated under the theme of “Conforming to the Truth of God’s Word that Transforms” (Romans 12:1-2).

The Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among, said that the murder of Archbishop Luwum was one of the lowest moments in our country’s history.

“I join Ugandans in celebrating the courage and martyrdom of Archbishop Janani Jakaliya Luwum. I thank President Yoweri Museveni for making this a public holiday and a reminder of what this country had become, necessitating the series of liberation struggles undertaken by the NRM to restore order, peace, and tranquilly and place the country back on track with progress and tranquility. May the souls of Janani Luwum and the many others who paid the ultimate sacrifice continue to rest in peace,” Speaker Among said.

Uganda celebrates Archbishop Luwum Day on February 16th each year, commemorating the life of the second African Archbishop of the Church of the Province of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga Zaire. From 1974 to 1977, he served as the second bishop of Kampala Diocese.

Archbishop Luwum was born in Mucwini, Chua, in 1924 and educated at Gulu High School before being trained to teach at Boroboro Teacher’s College. While teaching, he became a Christian and joined the leadership of the Chosen Evangelical Revival Movement in 1948.

While in this position, he was a leading voice in the criticism of Idi Amin, and in 1977, he delivered a note of protest to the dictator regarding unexplained disappearances and murders. Archbishop Luwum was arrested with two cabinet members, and the three men were placed on display at a rally in Kampala.

He died shortly after the arrest, and although the official account describes a car crash, it is generally accepted that he was murdered on the orders of then-President Idi Amin.