Janani Luwum: the Anglican martyr remembered as Ugandan human rights abuses continue

Archbishop Janani Luwum

This day in history, 37 years ago, Janani Luwum, then the Angelican archbishop of Uganda was killed with two other men in an automobile accident, according to the reports of the government at the time.  The country's religious and political strife have continued to make Uganda the place that peace forgot.

Luwum is viewed as a martyr by Church of England, as a statue was unveiled of him in 1998 where it stands above the west entrance to the Abbey.

 When Luwum became Archbishop the country was dominated by powerful African leaders, the worst of whom was Idi Amin, who unleashed a reign of terror that lasted more than decade.  Luwum protested against the acts of violence that were in great number.  As a consequence he and other Church leaders were ordered to Kampala, then to leave, and after the order was given, Luwum is quoted as having said to Bishop Festo Kivengere, a colleage in the Church, "They are going to kill me. I am not afraid.".   History records that he was murdered.  But two years later Idi Amin lost power during an invasion of forces in 1979 and fled the country in order to avoid facing the wrath of his countrymen and the justice deserved from the terrible atrocities that had occurred during his tenure as President.

Rebellion and conflict have continued to be problems in Uganda, as the country continues to find itself before the judgment of the world.  Now it is the anti-gay bill proposed by the Ugandan government that is arousing world attention.  This new bill is aimed at gays, proposing a law that would put homosexuals in prison, if convicted of having sex with members of the same sex.  Furthermore those who did not report gay people would themselves face punishment.  It would also make it a crime to even talk about homosexuality.  Ugandan law already bans gay sex between members of the same sex.

On a day to remember the martyr to the cause of freedom for the people of Uganda, Luwum's sacrifice remains a symbol of the ongoing strife and humanitarian issues that plague a country where domestic peace seems always remote

Aid link