Over 8,000 Pilgrims brace Kitgum heat to celebrate the Legacy of St Janani Luwum.

By

Abalo Irene Otto

Over eight thousand pilgrims today gathered in Wi Gweng in Mucwini Sub County in Kitgum district to celebrate the life and legacy of St Janani Luwum for his martyrdom and love for peace and justice in the community.

The celebration is to mark the 40^th Anniversary of St Janani Luwum who was killed in 1977 under the dictatorial rule of the then President Idi Amin Dada for challenging his leadership and respect for human rights. The theme of the day is “the just shall live by faith” to reflect the love for the gospel that compelled St Janani to confront the then president with the truth of his leadership that was making people suffer.

The Rev John Baptist Odama, Archbishop of Gulu Catholic Archdiocese who was the chief intercessor prayed for unity among the leaders so that they are just and can fight for the cause of the common people like St Janani Luwum Did.

“We should love, respect and unite as christians. Leaders, unite so that christians are not divided.”

Rt Rev. Mike Hill, Michael Nazir-Ali, Retired Bishop of Rochester Diocese (UK) told the pilgrims to stand for the truth and speak out on injustices in their surroundings.

He adds that some people today participate in death not by actively getting involved but by keeping silent on such things that could be prevented if the truth came out.

” Janani Luwum left us with a legacy of truth. Killing someone involves keeping silent when something wrong is taking place.”

On the 16^th February 1977, Archbishop Janani Luwum was murdered at Nakasero, by then President of Uganda, Idi Amin, following s period of great tension and ugly show down with Amin and the regime. While the church was preparing to bury him at Namirembe in Kampala, soldier’s secretly transported his desecrated body to Mucwini and dumped it in a hurriedly dug grave at the church yard at Wi Gweng village on the 19^th February. This has since been St Janani’s resting place at his ancestral home.

Women in Gulu Converge to tackle marriage and economics

Gulu is hosting the Northern Uganda Christian Women Convention this year after 20 years of existence since 1996, with a call for women to rise up and get involved in economic activities to improve their livelihoods.

The theme for this year’s convention is, “Woman, thou art loosed, ” taken from the book of Luke 3:12

According to Apostle Aida Lagum Lumoro, the chairperson of the Women’s convention and the General Overseer at Christian Centre Global Outreach Ministries where the convention is taking place in Pece division, Gulu municipality, more women are becoming bread winners in families and those who have husbands should also show support to their spouse by engaging in income generating activities to ease tension over money in the marriage.

She adds during an interview with our reporter that a woman who supports her husband makes him proud to have such a wife and gives him courage to work harder for their family hence keeping the marriage in a strong bond of love and happiness to enable a favorable environment to raise God fearing children.

Lagum warned women against being lazy and taking more time gossiping instead of doing what can improve their relationship in the house and those around them.

Ps James Opoka of Greater Love Gospel Church in Senior Quarters, the convention is meant for both men and women so that the marriage institution is strengthened after the decades of violence in the region that has also left many widows and orphans who need Godly directions to overcome challenges of today’s world.

He adds that the convention is hosting people from all denominations and they have invited reputable counselors who will assist in handling one on one talk with the participants for great testimonies in their private lives.

Ps Opoka says that it is important for Christians to read and practice what the Bible says in Ephesians 5:27 about husbands loving their wives and wives respecting their husbands so that marriages stand on the foundation built by God.

Mrs Opoka Betty, the secretary for women in Acholi Sub region under the convention says that the convention is to change lives and inspire women to live responsibly with their spouse in marriage and the widows and single mothers, how to raise children even in hard times.

The convention started with a march for Jesus from Kaunda Ground yesterday and will end on the 16th July with the commemoration of its 20th Anniversary at Christian Centre Global Outreach Ministries.

Church leaders urged to undergo training before joining evangelism

The Leadership Training Institute under Favor of God Ministries has on Friday successfully passed out 246 students who attended a two months training on evangelism in Amuru district.

The students graduated from Deliverance church In Amuru centre as part of the Rural Education and Empowerment, REEP Programme, for grooming into evangelism to reach out to the community around them preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ through their actions and words.

Oyamo Samuel, a student coordinator for the REEP training said that the community should embrace such training to be able to advance in their knowledge while serving Christ and preaching the gospel to transform lives.

Ps Sam Okello, a tutor in the REEP programme said that for the gospel to serve its purpose, people should be open to learning and accept the truth in the bible but also appreciate formal education to be able to much with the standard that the world is getting into for the preachers to remain relevant in their preaching in comparison to the life styles of the people.

Ps Okello says that unless preachers appreciate training they cannot lead the flock in a proper manner because gone are the days when God calls a servant and gives instructions on what to be done.

H e adds that whoever wants to lift him or herself up without being groomed is not a proper leader.

Ps Zallon Maximillian, REEP coordinator said the training covered essential areas in leadership including: community health, adult literacy, life skills, Homiletics and Bible doctrine among others.

He says the training shall continue in other districts of Nwoya, Omoro and Kodito at no cost for the students.

PREACH THE GOSPEL TO END MURDER SAYS POLICE PRO

Patrick Jimmy Okema, the police spokesperson for Aswa region has called upon religious leaders to join the struggle to reduce gruesome murders especially in Aswa region that has seen an increase in the number of people innocently murdered in cold blood.

Okema while addressing the press yesterday from NUMEC in Gulu town said that religious leaders need to preach the word of God more to appeal to the hearts of people so that real peace can prevail in the region.

He added while giving a report on the state of security in the region said that it has become a common habit for someone to pick up an object and kill a colleague without remorse.

Okema said they are investigating the murder of one Okwera Walter a boda boda cyclists who was gruesomely murdered by suspected timber dealers in Pabbo Sub County in Amuru district and made off with his motor bike but the suspect was arrested from Mbale and police is liaising to bring him back to Gulu to be arraigned in court.

His appeal comes at a time when murders and road accidents have become rampant in Aswa region with about 78 people involved in fatal road accidents last month with about 13 deaths and two people amputated from St Mary’s Hospital Lacor.

USE WHAT YOU HAVE TO GET WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE.

Rev father Uma Justin Erick the new parish priest of Holy Rosary parish has called upon Christian to stop toiling for what they cannot get.
Preaching the gospel from the book of mark Chapter 10 verse 21, Rev Uma urged Christians to help the needy and they will have treasure in heaven.
Uma told his congregation not to look down to what they have but use it well in order to get what they don’t have.
He adviced the congregation to believe in God because he is the provider of everything.
Father Uma took over from Father Oliviera Domingos.