Janani Luwum Church House Eclipses the Legacy of the Man Himself!
Iconic, Phenomenal, Magnificent!
According to Bp. Nathan Kyamanywa’s recent article in the New Vision newspaper, the construction of the iconic Janani Luwum Church House on Kampala Road took nearly eight years (from January 2011 to August 2018), spanning nine regimes of governments and eight archbishopric leadership tenures. This project cost an impressive UGX 60 billion, part of which was a loan taken from Equity Bank and has just recently been cleared by the Church of Uganda. Inevitably, congratulations are in order for this accomplishment. However, what comes to mind when one beholds the towering monument of concrete? Development? Investment? Legacy?
As its name suggests, the building is a monument dedicated to the late Archbishop Janani Luwum, who was the leader of the Anglican Church Province of Uganda, which then encompassed Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga Zaire, during Idi Amin’s dictatorial reign over Uganda. Unlike his predecessors and successors, Luwum is particularly remembered for his boldness and courage in speaking out against injustices, as well as the extra-judicial arrests, disappearances, and killings that were rampant under Amin’s regime.
It is believed that ultimately, it was his failure to coexist peacefully with oppression that led to his own murder in February 1977. He is now recognised as a modern martyr of the twentieth century. But to what extent does this tower of concrete and glass represent the legacy of an irreplaceable voice in a country that continues to be beset by oppressions similar to those experienced during Amin’s regime?
Monuments that eclipse the legacies of our heroes
While erecting such phenomenal concrete monuments can be satisfying for those involved and is regarded as a
significant step in convincing others of how seriously we honour a particular legacy, it appears to have become the sole method we know for commemorating our heroes. Instead of emulating these heroes by living out their legacies, we, at any cost, engrave their names on buildings and hope that these inanimate objects will convey legacy, influence society, and shape policy. But have we considered whether this was their true calling? Don’t you wonder why Namboole is MANDELA STADIUM! Yet Nelson Mandela was neither Ugandan, nor was his legacy in sports.
Undoubtedly, the splendour of the building showcases the dedicated efforts and financial investment of the Church of Uganda, its members, and friends. However, has the church demonstrated the same passion in addressing injustices in the country? One immediately realises that these monuments often stand taller than the legacies of our heroes that we intended for them to “represent.” After all, we construct them tall so they may stand tall, even taller than many others, as exemplified by Church House in the picture. In my opinion, the Janani Luwum Church House on Kampala Road stands taller than Janani Luwum’s legacy in this country.
“We should feel ashamed when we are found celebrating and parading high-rise buildings while timid to emulate the lives of the heroes we claim to honor.”
Politically and economically, we construct schools in memory of great individuals in our society but provide shambolic educational services. We build hospitals and name them after a hero who died on the frontlines of delivering healthcare and saving lives, only to provide scant health services that people so desperately need. We erect a monument to a former chief justice, the late Benedicto Kiwanuka, whom we believe had a genuine passion for justice in our country, yet preside over injustices in those very courts.
From a religious perspective, we construct magnificent cathedrals and name them after the great Apostles, yet we fail to proclaim the Gospel in its simplicity, entirety and to disciple those who respond to it in accordance with our Lord’s instructions. Instead, we use these cathedrals to promote ourrespective
denominational institutions and their unbiblical doctrines. Furthermore, we have erected “shrines” in memory of the Ugandan Martyrs, yet we are so far from the courage and boldness they displayed for their Lord Jesus Christ. If cathedrals and shrines have not impacted the city for Christ or heralded justice, what difference will Church House make? Yet, as certainly as night follows day, there will soon be fundraising for another monument of concrete. And these days it takes just one regime of Government and one archbishopric tenure.
What has Church House, worth UGX 60 billion, got to do with Janani Luwum?
In the newspaper article I referenced earlier, Bp. Nathan Kyamanya imagined the acquisition of Church House as similar to the restoration of the fortunes of Zion (See Psalm 126). Undoubtedly, this accomplishment brings immense pride to those who relentlessly laboured to finally own this monument debt-free. But doesn’t it raise more questions than answers.
Did the COU invest 60 billion (USD 17 million) just because the Roman Catholic Church had raised Mapeera House (Centenary Bank) and was minting money on the other end of the same street? Or was it because our Anglican brethren in neighbouring Kenya have set the bar so high that we felt compelled to step up as well? Could this be likened to setting up a Rolex stall in your neighbourhood simply because the vendor you buy from appears to be making a hefty profit?
Even more importantly, what does the 60 billion concrete monument have to do with Janani Luwum? Is it a centre or Institute for advocacy for those under oppression? Or, is it something that Luwum left unfinished from his Enthronement Charge? Knowing who Janani Luwum was, imagine giving him that USD 17 million, or just 10% of that amount. Would he have invested it in a concrete monument? And if it was about pursuing the dream of having an economically self-sustaining church, in my humble opinion, spreading that sixty billion shillings across at least ten dioceses would have yielded even much better results in terms of income and noise generation for the institution at perhaps a lesser cost even.
“The price of celebrating and honouring the legacies of our heroes, if we choose to, is much greater than the cost of erecting mere monuments of concrete.”
I am not opposed to concrete monuments. Please construct churches, hospitals, schools, and commercial buildings. However, name them appropriately. One might even wonder what prevents us from naming monuments after the living. I believe we should. For instance, Church House ought to be named after individuals who are about buildings. We have them, and we know them. Yet, if we choose to celebrate the legacy of the deceased, we must do so in more fitting and honourable ways, which are likely to incur greater costs than mere concrete monuments.
Janani Luwum’s Legacy: A Voice for the Voiceless
The Janani Luwum Church House is well situated and, with any luck, will eventually generate the anticipated income. However, when has the church, especially the institution that Luwum led, truly embodied the values that he championed, such as his combination of a passion for the Gospel and justice? Of course, when we are busy chasing money to build monuments, matters such as the centrality of the Gospel and concerns for justice are pushed to the peripherals. Why be distracted by trivial issues when we have grand objectives to achieve? Bearing in mind that engagement with trivial concerns oftentimes alienates our very funders and partners? For that reason, it is reasonable and safe to allow those whom God has called to the field of justice to speak out. Ours is the pulpit, a platform to preach the Gospel that the privileged funders and partners wish to hear
While Luwum may not be regarded as the standard for advocating justice, he was a bold, courageous, loud, and clear voice for the voiceless at a time when even a whisper of concern could result in your family losing a member. What is to be gained by associating with Janani Luwum’s legacy? And what could be lost in any attempt to propagate that same legacy? Now that the Church House is named after him, are we then to hear and see his legacy emulated? While I may be perceived to be ranting the Anglican Church in Uganda (COU), this should be a matter of concern for all of us Ugandans, and even more, anyone
that claims to affiliate with the Cross of Christ. We shouldn’t pretend to enjoy peace amidst oppression of others, even if they aren’t Christians.
The Legacy for Which Janani Luwum Paid
Another Janani Luwum Day commemoration has just been held in Mucwini on 16th February 2025. What report was read this time around about the state of justice and oppression in this country 48 years later? Well, your guess is as good as mine. Just a few inconsequential appeals. No rebuke, no public condemnation of the blatant injustices meted out especially on opposition leaders and members, but ambiguous appeals just for the sake of it. It could be because we are unaware of such a thing, or we have no proof of it. Or, as they say, those aren’t our “Christians”.
Yes, you have completed payment for the Church House, and you now own the building that you and other stakeholders paid for – Congratulations. But what about the legacy that Janani paid for? You have always had it and claimed to own it for five decades. You even have a public holiday dedicated to reflecting on his death and what he died for, but have you? Shouldn’t the commemoration of his legacy come with grief over the state of justice in Uganda today? Besides, should we be waiting until 16th February every year to make passing appeals?
Honouring the dead, especially the martyrs, of whom Janani Luwum is considered one, should be taken more seriously than we seem to treat it. The price of celebrating their legacies, if we choose to, is much greater than the cost of erecting mere concrete monuments. We should feel ashamed when we celebrate and parade high-rise buildings while failing to emulate the lives of those we claim to honour. These temporal concrete monuments should never eclipse the enduring legacies of the great men and women whom our nation and church regard as heroes. Janani must be turning in his grave wondering where we find peace when others are enduring oppression.
Conclusion
Remember, it is not the tall concrete monuments that inspire us or provide us with the highest platform to shine like lights in a dark world, or to be salt as Jesus calls us to in Matthew 5:13-16. Rather, we should emulate the very legacies of the men and women of faith who imitated Christ, our Master. Bp Nathan Kyamanywa, in his article, reminded those who may care to listen that while Church House is an accomplishment to celebrate, it will, like other buildings, pass away someday (quoting Jesus in Matthew 24:1).
“Above all, if we are seeking monuments to inspire us all, one monument stands tallest and unrivalled above them all – the old, rugged, cheap wooden Cross of Jesus Christ at Calvary. A monument raised at the highest cost ever.”
Janani Luwum has already given us a legacy that precedes and towers far above the magnificent Church House that’s named after him. Let’s stand on that any day. Above all, if we are seeking monuments to inspire us all, one monument stands tallest above them all – the old, rugged, cheap wooden cross of Jesus Christ at Calvary. A monument raised at the highest cost ever, inviting all who call Him Lord to live lives like His, even when it sometimes involves taking the same path and drinking from the same cup of suffering. No wonder this monument is the unrivalled symbol of His global church.
~ Raymond L. Bukenya ~
Writer, Speaker & Director Tru Tangazo Uganda
