Kitgum | The atmosphere at Mucwini Ceremonial Grounds was already charged with prayer, remembrance, and reflection as thousands gathered to mark St. Janani Luwum Memorial Day.
But amid the hymns and solemn tributes, a moment of tangible relief and gratitude unfolded when President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni fulfilled his pledge of shs60 million to the Diocese of Kitgum.
The pledge, previously made to support the work of the Diocese, was formally handed over to the Bishop of Diocese of Kitgum, Rt. Rev. Wilson Kitala, during the 49th commemoration of the martyred Archbishop.
For many in attendance, it was more than a ceremonial gesture, it was a symbol of partnership between faith and state in advancing community welfare.
As Bishop Kitara received the contribution, his expression reflected both gratitude and responsibility. Leading a diocese that serves a largely rural population still rebuilding from the scars of past conflict, he understands the weight of every resource entrusted to the Church.
“This support will strengthen our mission,” Bishop Kitara said, addressing the congregation. “The Church does not only preach the Gospel; it walks with the people in education, health, and social transformation.”
For the faithful gathered under the scorching Kitgum sun, the moment resonated deeply. The Diocese of Kitgum has long been a pillar of stability in the Acholi sub-region, offering spiritual guidance, running schools, supporting vulnerable families, and fostering reconciliation in communities once divided by insurgency and displacement.
Okot James, a resident of Mucwini and a Christian at St. Paul Church of Uganda expressed hope that the funds would help expand outreach programs, support clergy in remote parishes, and improve essential church infrastructure.
In villages where churches double as community meeting spaces and centres of hope, such support carries a visible impact.
The President’s fulfilment of the financial pledge was accompanied by another assurance. He confirmed that a previously promised lorry truck for the Diocese which had remained pending, would be delivered within two weeks.
Turning to Bishop Kitala, the President instructed him to arrange to collect the vehicles after the stipulated period.
For the Diocese, the promise of a truck is not merely logistical. In a region where parishes are spread across vast distances, with some areas accessible only by rough murram roads, transportation remains a constant challenge.
Oyella Joyce, one of the mothers’ unions in the diocese of Kitgum said the Clergy often travel long hours to conduct services, pastoral visits, and community engagements.
She noted that a reliable truck would ease the movement of materials for church construction, support agricultural projects initiated by the Church, and facilitate mission work in hard-to-reach areas.
The human significance of the moment was not lost on the congregation. Elderly Christians who remember the turbulent years of Idi Amin’s regime when Archbishop Janani Luwum paid the ultimate price for his faith watched as Church and State stood side by side in commemoration rather than conflict.
For many young people present, the event offered a different lesson: that legacy is not only remembered in speeches, but also honoured through action that uplifts communities.
As the commemorations continued with prayers and hymns echoing across Mucwini, Bishop Kitara reiterated the Diocese’s commitment to accountability and service.
He emphasised that the Church would ensure the funds and the forthcoming vehicles are used transparently to benefit the faithful and the wider community.
In the birthplace of a man who stood firm for truth and justice, the fulfilment of a pledge became a story of renewed hope, a reminder that promises kept can strengthen trust, and that faith institutions remain central to the social fabric of Acholi and Uganda at large.
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