Deputy Speaker Oulanyah to spearhead Agago Martyrs celebrations

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah has launched a fundraising drive towards the centennial celebrations for the martyrdom of Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa, which will take place in Paimol Sub county, Agago district.

The two catechists were martyred on 18 October 1918 and beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2002; an event celebrated each year on 20th October at Wipolo Shrine.

Oulanyah, who was appointed the coordinator of this year’s celebrations by Gulu Archdiocese Archbishop John Baptist Odama, called on the public to support what he termed ‘the work of God’.

“This year marks 100 years since Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa were martyred. We want to make the celebrations big; the budget is about shs600 million which will support the day’s celebrations and infrastructure such as water supply and construction of dormitories,” said Oulanyah.

He made the call during a fundraising launch, which took place on Wednesday, 18 July 2018 at Serena Hotel that saw both private and government entities raise shs40 million and a sponsorship of over shs50 million from NTV Uganda.

Other organisations that  contributed included Uganda Prisons, National Water and Sewerage Corporation, Uganda Breweries Ltd and UMEME.

Oulanyah said he is honoured to coordinate such an event adding that he is set for a vigorous and wider campaign to raise shs600m by the end of September 2018.