President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has faulted former President Gen Idi Amin for overbearingly imposing himself on Ugandans and propagating extra-judicial killings of those with dissenting views including Archbishop Janani Luwum.
While speaking at the 49th commemoration anniversary of Archbishop Janani Luwum at Mucwini Ceremonial Grounds in Kitgum district, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni cited grave mistakes of Idi Amin that he describes as irrational and unbearable.
Archbishop Janani Luwum was allegedly murdered during Idi Amin regime on the 16th February 1977 for his bold stand against the excess of Amin’s government and gross human rights violations metted on the people.
The Church of Uganda in collaboration with the government has since 2016 agreed and resolved to honor the heroic act by gazetting the day as a public holiday in his memory.
President Museveni explained how together with other patriots initiated the anti-Amin fight and warned leaders against intimidation and manipulation politics like Amin did and recommended politics of persuasion as opposed to confrontational and intimidation.
President Museveni who waa accompanied by his wife Janet Kataha Museveni cited the NRM’s persuasive approach in Nothern Uganda at inception when the electorate in the area least supported the National Resistance Movement.
He noted that through continuous engagement and improved service delivery to the area through schools, health centers, good roads, electricity and other services, the populace embrace the party to the level of the most voted party with nearly 90% in the just concluded 2026 General Elections.
President Museveni said that bad leaders like Idi Amin without a clear political ideology, should have never been let into power as seen from their disastrous conduct including the murder of Janani Luwum and other prominent figures at his time.
The President confirmed plans to commence construction of the Janani Luwum Pilgrimage site at Mucwini in Kitgum district upon completion of the site’s development plan saying that a replica of Namugogo, Munyonyo and other Uganda Martyrs shrines will be implemented at Mucwini Ceremonial Grounds where the Janani Luwum site is planned for construction.
President Museveni said that the National Resistance Movement government has revenged for all victims of Idi Amin including Janani Luwum, Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka and others and called for harmonious living for all and assured the people of Acholi Sub region of swift action against Karamajong cattle rustlers who are reported to have rebounded with raids in Kitgum and the neighboring districts.
President Museveni assured the people of Acholi of prompt tighter security measures to counter cattle rustling in the area through the enhancement of security interventions as he explains.
He thanked the electorate of Kitgum and Acholi Sub region at large for resoundingly voting for NRM in the just concluded 2026 General elections and promised to further wealth creation initiatives to the last mile.
President Museveni announced that he has already fulfilled a number pledges to the people of Acholi including the Ugx 60 million pledge to the Mucwini Church of Uganda and ordered for delivery of 2 new truck vehicles he promised to their area to support their socioeconomic activities.
While speaking at the same event, the Archbishop Church of Uganda Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu asked President Museveni to pardon more prisoners as the country commemorates the 49th Anniversary of Archbishop Janani Luwum who was murdered by Idi Amin terror regime
Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu noted that President Museven has always pardoned minor offenders and a similar gestures be done for prisoners like Dr Kizza Besigy in the ommemoration of Janani Luwum.
The Archbishop commended government for acknowledging the contributions of Archbishop Janani Luwum and honoring and noted that Archbishop Janani Luwum was murdered for speaking truth to the Amin regime and opposing atrocities by the Amin regime which signifies the importance of faith and religion to Uganda’s transformation and called on Ugandans to emulate Archbishop Luwum by living up to the values he stood for.
The Archbishop listed several initiatives established by the church in commemoration of Archbishop Janani Luwum which include among others the Janani Luwum House previously named the Church House in Kampala, Janani Luwum Hall at Uganda Christian University, Janani Luwum Church at Kansanga and several schools named after him for his heroic contribution to the Church of Uganda.
The former Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi has asked government to expedite the construction of a befitting memorial site for Janani Luwum at Mucwini Ceremonial Grounds in Kitgum district while Bishop Wilson Kitala of Kitgum Diocese has rallied Ugandans to live in the footprints of Janani Luwum.
The event was also graced by the the Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity, Hon Rose Lilly Akello who elaborated the government plan to establish an international Pilgrimage Center in memory of Archbishop Janani Luwum at his birthplace in Mucwini Sub county in Kitgum district – Acholi Sub-region.
Minister Akello explained that different facilities listed for the Janani Luwum Pilgrimage site including a church, school, stadium among others and commended the electorate of Kitgum and the entire Acholi Sub region for massively voting for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the 2026 polls and all NRM candidates across board.
Kitgum District Woman Member of Parliament who doubles as the Minister for State for Relief and Disaster Preparedness Hon Lillian Aber reported about the return of Karamajong cattle rustlers and asked for reinforcement for security personnel on ground.
Minister Aber asked for expediting of construction works for Janani Luwum Pilgrimage site in Kitgum district whom whe defined as a religious icon and moral figure to Acholi, Uganda and the world at large and commended government for the socioeconomic transformative initiatives in the Acholi Sub region that have spured development and wealth creation.
Kitgum District Chairperson Christopher Arwai Obol the read the district status report and the significance of Janani Luwum to Kitgum district and Acholi Sub region and hinted on on the need for Janani Luwum memorial site, the karamajong cattle rustlers and the scale upvif University education services in East Acholi region including Kitgum and it’s neighboring district.
