Thomas Mussolini Tokwiny, a 66-year-old pilgrim, started a remarkable 588-kilometer walk from Kampala on Monday, January 26, to mark the 49th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Janani Luwum, former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, who was killed in 1977.

Setting out early from St. Peter’s Church in Naguru, Tokwiny covered 46 kilometers to reach his first stop at St. Janani Luwum Secondary School in Bombo. The next day, he walked 60 kilometers and paused for rest at Katugo Church of Uganda in Luwero District.

By Wednesday morning, he had reached Wabigalo in Nakasongola District. Tokwiny shared with reporters that he planned to walk another 60 kilometers before resting at Migyeera. This is the fourth consecutive year he has undertaken pilgrimages in memory of Uganda’s saints and blesseds.

He described the pilgrimage as a personal act of gratitude to God for keeping him safe during 45 years as a driver in northern Uganda, particularly during the violent attacks and ambushes by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

Through this journey, Tokwiny aims to honor St. Janani Luwum’s courage, faith, and resistance to injustice while inspiring others to follow his example, similar to the annual pilgrimages to Namugongo in honor of the Uganda Martyrs.

“Although I invited others to join me, I eventually walked alone because many feared insecurity in Kampala during the election period,” he explained.

Tokwiny also called on both Christians and Muslims to unite and promote peace, emphasizing that “God is one and belongs to all humanity.”

Unlike most pilgrims who walk to Wii Gweng in Mucwini, Kitgum District, Tokwiny plans to extend his journey to Wii Gweng in Madi Opei Sub-County, Lamwo District. This site is historically significant because St. Janani Luwum’s body was first mistakenly taken there before being transported 23 kilometers back to Wii Gweng in Kitgum.

Meanwhile, Okot p’Bitek, Vice Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, announced that the official pilgrimage will begin on February 11 from Boroboro in Lango, with pilgrims resting at Agweng Sub-County in Otuke District. On February 12, they will continue to Puranga in Pader District, then to Pajule on February 13, before joining other pilgrims from Kampala, West Nile, and Acholi at Acholibur on February 14.

St. Janani Luwum, who served as Archbishop from 1974 until his death, is remembered for openly opposing human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings during former president Idi Amin’s regime. He was arrested and killed on February 16, 1977, and canonized by the Anglican Church as a martyr in 2016.

The 49th martyrdom anniversary will be celebrated under the theme: “Anchored in Christ for Stability, Peace and Unity,” inspired by Ephesians 2:14–17.

URN