Janani Luwum’s wife dies at 93

Mary Lumu met her husband, the late Archbishop Janani Luwum when he was still a primary school teacher at Kitgum Primary School in 1947

Mary Lawinyo Luwum, Janani Luwum’s widow. (Courtesy Photo).

By Aaron Sseruyigo

Mama Mary Luwum, wife to the late Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Janani Luwum has died aged 93.

In a statement, All Saints’ Cathedral, Kampala revealed that Mama Mary Luwum died of cancer of the gallbladder at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 6th August at International Hospital Kampala (IHK).

She is survived by seven children; four girls and three boys.

Mary’s husband Janani Jakaliya Luwum was the archbishop of the Church of Uganda from 1974 to 1977 and one of the most influential leaders of the modern church in Africa.

He was killed on February 16, 1977 a day after he was arrested on false charges by former Ugandan president Idi Amin along with other two ministers.

My late husband, Ms Luwum told media in 2016, was “a humble hero from the Christian faith, who had indiscriminate love for people regardless of their origin, race, ethnicity and religion amidst other values.”

The Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali described Mary Luwum as a “faithful witness to her Lord and Saviour.”

“Like her husband, her testimony has inspired many and will live on. We commend her to her Lord and pray for their family and all who grieve her passing,” he said.

Burial arrangements are underway and will be communicated later.

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