The Government of Uganda has announced plans to construct a modern sporting facility in Kitgum district to honour the late Archbishop Janani Luwum.

This was announced by the Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity, Rose Akello, the head of the commemoration of Archbishop Luwum Day, which is celebrated annually on February 16th.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni declared February 16th a public holiday in 2015 to celebrate the life of the late Archbishop Luwum, believed to have been murdered by the former President Idi Amin in 1977.

Minister Akello said the government will kick start the construction of a modern sports stadium at Wigwen village, Mucwini in Kitgum, at the burial site of  Luwum in the next financial year.

On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, Minister Akello told parliament that the family of the late Luwum had already donated land for the project.

Uganda celebrates Archbishop Luwum Day on the 16th of February 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.