Political scholar and Anglican cleric Rev Simon Feta has called on Uganda’s leaders and clergy to embrace moral courage and spiritual responsibility as the nation commemorates the 49th anniversary of Archbishop Janani Jakaliya Luwum’s death.
Speaking on Next Big Talk hosted by Next Radio on Monday, Feta reflected on Uganda’s spiritual heritage, the enduring relevance of Luwum’s sacrifice, and the broader moral challenges facing the nation and Africa.
He emphasized that Uganda’s cultural practices remain deeply intertwined with spirituality.
“Across the country, the people of Uganda are godly in their cultures and customs, right from the naming of children, food, and other aspects,” he said.
Referencing the national motto, “For God and My Country,” Feta noted that invoking divine sovereignty carries obligations for both leaders and citizens.
Archbishop Luwum, the third Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, was killed on February 16, 1977, after speaking out against human rights abuses under then-President Idi Amin.
Official accounts initially claimed he died in a car crash alongside cabinet ministers Erinayo Wilson Oryema and Charles Oboth Ofumbi, but it is widely accepted he was executed on Amin’s orders.
Feta highlighted that Luwum’s courage represents only a fraction of untold acts of bravery in Uganda’s history.
“There are many examples hidden beyond Janani Luwum that are in Uganda and will never be known,” he said, emphasizing the ongoing struggle between good and evil in governance and society.
Placing Uganda’s experiences in a continental context, Feta underscored two enduring struggles in Africa: the fight for liberation and addressing the lingering effects of post-colonial imperialism.
He also stressed that religious leaders have responsibilities beyond spiritual guidance, especially in times of national and moral crisis.
“For a priest, bishop, or pastor who stands in the public eye, your tentacles must go beyond the scriptures. Being a spiritual leader is a very big obligation; you cannot act otherwise,” he said.
Nearly five decades after his death, Archbishop Luwum is honored both nationally and internationally as a Christian martyr.
Uganda observes February 16 as a public holiday in his memory, and his legacy is commemorated with a statue at Westminster Abbey in the UK, annual national prayers, pilgrimages to Mucwini in Kitgum District, and community events across the country.