Overview:
President Yoweri Museveni, who was the chief guest at the event, recalled his role in Africa’s liberation struggles and resistance against former dictator Idi Amin, urging leaders to govern through persuasion rather than imposition on the people.
The Rt Rev Ashley Null, the second Anglican bishop of North Africa, has hailed Africa’s foundational role in shaping Anglican theology and urged Christians to confront personal and societal sin, as he preached during the 49th anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Janani Luwum in Mucwini, Kitgum District.
Null told thousands of worshippers commemorating the event, that early English reformers drew theological inspiration from African church fathers, describing Africa as central to the identity and development of Anglicanism.
“The English reformers looked to Africa for their theology. Africa shaped Anglicanism. To be an African Anglican is to be African twice,” Null said. He challenged narratives that missionaries brought Christianity to Africa, saying instead that they “brought it back home,” and encouraged African Anglicans to take pride in their heritage. Null said the Christian church in Africa and Uganda was founded in sacrifice, noting that Archbishop Janani Luwum’s death in 1977 symbolised the church’s commitment to the gospel.
“The church in Africa was birthed in blood. The church in Uganda was birthed in blood. And in its centennial year, its archbishop gave his blood to confirm the gospel in Africa,” he said. Reflecting on the era of former president Idi Amin, Null described the period as one of terror marked by arbitrary arrests, torture, and killings, warning that violence could erupt suddenly despite the appearance of normalcy. He said Luwum, known as a peacemaker and unifier, was forced to speak out against social injustice and violence, calling for peace and condemning hatred, greed,eed and unforgiveness during his Christmas Day radio address.
Null recounted that Amin reacted angrily to Luwum’s criticism, leading to threats against church leaders and eventually Luwum’s arrest, trial for treason, and execution on February 16, 1977. He said Luwum’s death was the final witness to the gospel message he had preached throughout his life, rooted in repentance and the East African Revival movement. Null also conveyed greetings from the Very Rev Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Abbey in London, noting that a statue of Archbishop Luwum stands among 20th-century martyrs at Westminster Abbey as a reminder of courage and faith in confronting injustice.
The preacher urged Christians to confront sin both in society and within themselves, arguing that social transformation begins with transformed hearts. “The cross reminds us that sin must be confronted, resisted, and eradicated. Only hearts transformed by the gospel can transform a sick society,” he said. He called on believers to fight selfishness, hatred, jealo,usy and greed, saying repentance is the foundation of new life for individuals and communities.
President Yoweri Museveni, who was the chief guest at the event, recalled his role in Africa’s liberation struggles and resistance against former dictator Idi Amin, urging leaders to govern through persuasion rather than imposition on the people. The President recounted how he rejected Idi Amin’s coup that overthrew President Milton Obote in January 1971, describing it as the beginning of his resistance against Amin’s regime.
“Amin never ruled me. He ruled me only for a few hours of the 25th and the whole of the 26th; that was the end. We refused to accept him and left for Tanzania to start resistance,” he said. Museveni said Amin’s biggest mistake was imposing himself on Ugandans rather than persuading them, arguing that leadership should be grounded in popular support and moral authority.
He also criticised the use of assassinations and violence against civilians, saying warfare should only occur on the battlefield and not through targeted killings. “We despise the killing of people and assassinations. If we want to fight, we fight in battle. I rejected proposals to assassinate opponents because that is not fighting,” Museveni added.
They thanked the people of northern Uganda for voting for them this time, and pledged renewed efforts to eliminate poverty, highlighting the Parish Development Model (PDM) and increased participation of households in the money economy. The President said the NRM government is committed to providing services to the whole country, irrespective of their voting pattern.
He cited government investments in Northern Uganda, including electricity, schools, health centres, water projects, and roads, saying these were delivered regardless of voting patterns in the region. “Whether people voted for us or not, we brought electricity, schools, health centres, water, and roads. That is how we eliminated guinea worm here,” he said.
According to Museveni, by independence, only nine percent of people were in the money economy.
“Toda,y about 70 percent are involved, and we shall ensure the remaining 30 percent join so that we get rid of poverty,” he said.
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