The casket of Mama Mary Luwum before it was interred next to her husband at Mucwini
“Today is the day where we honor such a beloved soul, the day we lay our mama to rest. The day we reminisce on the memories we shared. Three generations passed down and all embraced the adoration she showed. And this was not just within the family, or close friends nearby, mama knew how to spread love and many people were grateful for that”,
“Our people of Kakwa were here. She welcomed them at her home and the people cried for what Amin did. Neither the people of Kakwa nor the people of West Nile killed the late Archbishop Janani Luwum. It was Uganda Dictator, the late Iddi Amin with his henchmen who killed the late Archbishop Janani Luwum, Amin and his henchmen are the one who should carry the cross”,
KITGUM-UGANDA: Bianca Achola is the great granddaughter of Mama Mary Luwum, the fallen wife of the late Saint Janani Luwum. She joins thousands of mourners across the world, who sent in their condolences during the burial of the fallen resilience icon on Saturday, August 17, 2019 next to the grave of her husband on Saturday, August 17, 2019.
When her husband, the late Archbishop Janani Luwum was murdered by Uganda strongman Gen. Idi Amin on February 16, 1977, she managed to raise her ten children single handedly; including educating all of them. Her eldest son, Ben Okello-Luwum is now running his private audit firm. The late Mary Luwum succumbed to cancer on Tuesday, August 7, 2019.
She died at the age of 93 and is survived by 8 children, 19 grandchildren and 28 Great grandchildren, including Bianca Achola.
“Today is the day where we honor such a beloved soul, the day we lay our mama to rest. The day we reminisce on the memories we shared. Three generations passed down and all embraced the adoration she showed. And this was not just within the family, or close friends nearby, mama knew how to spread love and many people were grateful for that”, she wrote in an email from London.
Mr. Ben Okello Luwum moved the mourners with his emotional speech when he described how his mother struggled to raise them after the late Saint Archbishop Janani Luwum was brutally murdered by the then President Idi Amin on Feb. 16, 1977.
“When our father got killed, we were still in primary level, but our late mother stood firm to see that her family is well raised despite the ordeal.” Okello narrated.
Mr. Okello-Luwum, who is currently an auditor in a private firm, appealed to mourners to emulate his late mother, who was a resilient, hardworking and God fearing woman who would not run away from problems, but instead approach it head-on.
“If you are facing the similar trials that my mother faced after the death of our father, her life history should be a good source of inspiration to you.” Mr. Okello-Luwum advises
He also revealed that her late mother reconciled with all those with whom she had misunderstanding with, and she had also forgiven everyone that wronged her before she died.
Dr. John Olara Otunnu who was entrusted to speak on behalf of the family applauded the late Mama Mary Luwum for leading an exemplary life.
“I would like to thank those who stood in solidarity with us to keep our late mother alive. Today is the day to thank God for giving us a loving and caring mother. We also thank God that Mama Mary finished her journey, because she had a mission which she has accomplished well.” Olara said
She believed in God, she managed all what happened, it is two foundations of life, the foundation rooted. When St Janani Luwum was killed doing God’s work, she was a great pillar to this family.
She was a woman of great humility, a loving woman who was loved by all relatives and she cracked jokes. She never went to school.
But she learned while she was on God’s mission, not about that one only, she was deeply rooted on law of civilization and was a cultural woman.
She knew how to dance our cultural dances like bwola , apitti and all sorts of traditional dances. She was a woman of wisdom and knowledge.
“If you now see us play traditional songs in our churches today, it was because of the likes of Mama Mary Luwum fought for it. The colonial rulers said it was demonic, but because of their pleas, the church has to allow the traditional songs and costume”, said Dr. Olara-Otunnu.
Dr. Olara-Otunnu said Mama Mary Luwum also forgave every person who killed her husband, the late Janani Luwum because she welcomed and embraced the people of Kakwa on February 15, 2018 who came to her home to apologize for the pains she went through when their son, Idi Amin killed her husband .
“Our people of Kakwa were here. She welcomed them at her home and the people cried for what Amin did. Neither the people of Kakwa nor the people of West Nile killed the late Archbishop Janani Luwum. It was Uganda Dictator, the late Iddi Amin with his henchmen who killed the late Archbishop Janani Luwum, Amin and his henchmen are the one who should carry the cross”, said Dr. Olara-Otunnu.
“She has opened the way, the direction of truth, peace and reconciliations. As Ugandans, truth is the way. Today we are celebrating her life, when the late Luwum was killed, we did not have time to bury him or organize a decent funeral, but now we are burying our beloved mother with peace, wagoyu kiira”, said Dr. Olara-Otunnu.
