The government has budgeted 122 Billion Shillings for the first phase of the development of St. Janani Luwum burial grounds.
In 2015, President Yoweri Museveni directed the Ministries of Education and Sports, and the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development to build a statute in commemoration of St. Janani Luwum.
The directive then led to the conception of a more elaborate idea to develop the entire burial area of the saint.
That same year, the government also approved plans to rebury the remains of St. Janani Luwum, which also marked the start of a series of infrastructure built in honor of the late archbishop.
During the 40th anniversary of St. Janani Luwum in 2017, the artistic impression and plan for the burial ground of the late archbishop were unveiled at Wii-Gweng village, Mucwini sub-county.
In 2021, the committee in charge of the development of the site displayed the artistic impression of the site before the synod, which also approved the plan.
Although no work has started to develop the site, Andrew Kilama, the vice chairperson organizing committee of this year’s celebrations, revealed that a summarized plan detailing what areas will be developed in the first of the three phases has been released.
Kilama revealed that the five key features that will be worked on in the first phase of the site development are; the gate, a tower, a statue of St Janani Luwum, and a tomb and prayer arena.
Other structures that will be built at the site are; shrines for meditations, an athletic field, a stadium, educational facilities, health facilities, and hotels among others.
In April, President Yoweri Museveni met with leaders of the Church of Uganda, headed by Archbishop the Most Reverend Dr. Stephen Kazimba Mugalu at State House Entebbe, to discuss matters affecting the development of the burial site of St Janani Luwum.
During the meeting, Museveni supported the idea of developing the area, arguing that building a stadium, for instance, would not only promote religion but boost tourism in the area, as well as generate revenue through events like sports competitions, music concerts, and political gatherings.
Kilama said one of the reasons the development was delayed was because there was no one in charge of following the money and everything concerning the development.
He revealed that the Ministry of Ethics and Integrity has already been tasked to follow up with the government on the money and undertake the development projects.
Locally a committee, headed by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, has also been formed to oversee the development of the site.
He added that the land title of the 93.7 acres of land donated by the community to host all these developments has also been acquired this year, 2023, saying it is one of the factors that delayed the process to start developing the site.
Uganda celebrates the martyrdom of St. Janani Luwum annually on February 16. This year’s celebrations will be held under the theme; of United for Service and Growth, which is taken from Ephesians 4:11-16.
