Janani Luwum

Janani Jakaliya Luwum (1922 – 1977) was the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda (1974 – 1977), and one of the most influential leaders of the modern church in Africa. He was murdered on the 17th of February 1977 by dictator Idi Amin.

Related Topics:
1922 - 1977 - Archbishop - Church of Uganda - 1974 - Africa - 17th of February - Dictator - Idi Amin

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Janani Luwum joined the Anglican Church in Uganda and became a deacon in 1955. The following year he was ordained a priest. He served in the upper Nile Diocese of Uganda and the Diocese of Mbale, and in 1961 he was consecrated bishop of the

Related Topics:
Anglican Church - Uganda - Deacon - 1955 - Ordained - Priest - Diocese - Mbale - 1961 - Consecrated - Bishop

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Anglican Church Province of northern Uganda at Gulu. After five years he was appointed archbishop of the Metropolitan Province of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga in DR Congo, the second African to hold this position.

Related Topics:
Anglican Church Province - Gulu - Rwanda - Burundi - DR Congo

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Archbishop Luwum was a leading voice in criticizing the excesses of the Idi Amin regime that assumed power in 1971.

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In 1977 Archbishop Luwum delivered a note of protest to dictator Idi Amin against the policies of arbitrary killings and unexplained disappearances. Shortly afterwards the archbishop and other leading churchmen were accused of treason.

Related Topics:
1977 - Treason

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On 16 February 1977 Archbishop Luwum was arrested, and the next morning it was announced that he had been killed in a car crash. The government claimed that he had died in a tragic car accident, but later revised the story and said the archbishop had been shot while trying to overcome the soldiers transporting him to detention. After some weeks the bullet-riddled body of Luwum was quietly released to his family.

Related Topics:
16 February - 1977

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According to the later testimony of witnesses, an enraged Idi Amin himself shot Luwum in the mouth, after he had refused to sign a confession and instead proceeded to pray.

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Janani Luwum was buried at his home village of Mucwini, Kitgum District. He is recognised as a martyr by the Church of England, and his death is commemorated on the 17th of February. His statue is among the "20th Century Martyrs" on the front of Westminster Abbey in London.

Related Topics:
Kitgum District - Martyr - Church of England - 17th of February - Westminster Abbey - London

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