By Eriah Lule
The Uganda Christian University (UCU) has undergone several significant transformations, with one of the iconic buildings being the Janani Luwum Dining Hall. Situated at the heart of the campus, the cafeteria has become a bustling hub of activity where students and visitors alike come to satisfy their hunger, socialize with friends, or take a break from their academic pursuits.
The Janani Luwum Dining Hall is a renowned landmark on campus, known for its lively atmosphere. It can accommodate over 1000 people at once, with an open-plan design that creates a warm and inviting environment. The walls are adorned with bright colors and decorations that give the hall a lively and upbeat ambiance. The furniture is both comfortable and sturdy, providing a perfect setting for students to enjoy their meals.
Beyond its role as a dining area, the Janani Luwum Dining Hall serves as a social hub for students. It is a place where people gather to share stories, discuss work projects, or even make new friends. The hall’s inviting ambiance and sense of community have made it an integral part of the UCU experience. A place where students come to relax, socialize, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
UCU initially had its dining hall located on the current L1 premises. However, as the student population continued to increase over time, the university administration recognized the need to expand its facilities to accommodate the growing number of students. As a result, they identified the area below Byaruhanga’s former residence, which now houses Sabitti Hall of Residence, and the OV buildings, which presently host the gym, as potential locations for new dining hall.
To this end, the university administration embarked on the construction of a modern dining hall (DH) to cater to the needs of the students. During the construction process, Byaruhanga, who happened to be a resident of the area, offered his services in sourcing high-quality wood that could be used to make the tables for the new dining hall. Thanks to his efforts, the dining hall now boasts mahogany seats, which stand as a testament to his invaluable contribution to the project.
On the fateful evening of February 16, 1977, a terrible tragedy shook the entire nation of Uganda, and Bishop Tucker College was not spared. The news of the sudden and untimely death of His Grace Janani Luwum, the Archbishop of the Anglican Church, was announced on Radio Uganda, leaving the country in shock and disbelief.
At Bishop Tucker College, the news hit particularly hard for Augustine Byaruhanga, the Head Cook of the College, and the staff and students who were present in the Dining Hall (which is now the former Law Library, L1) at the time. Byaruhunga, who had been busy preparing his kitchen staff, was deeply shocked by the unexpected news of the archbishop’s passing.
The announcement of His Grace’s death at around 6:00 p.m. that evening was a devastating blow to everyone who knew him and valued his contributions to the community. His Grace Janani Luwum was a revered figure in Uganda, and his untimely death was felt deeply by all who knew him, including the staff and students of Bishop Tucker College.
The death of His Grace Janani Luwum, the Archbishop of the Anglican Church, was a devastating loss for Uganda, but his legacy lives on as a national hero and a strong pillar of the church. His unwavering commitment to his faith and his dedication to serving the people of Uganda continue to inspire and guide many to this day.
For Byaruhanga, the news of the Archbishop’s death was particularly poignant, as he had previously aspired to become the Archbishop’s driver. The sudden and tragic loss of such a respected figure in the community left many people in shock and mourning.
The following morning, a communal procession was held at Thorny Craft Chapel to mourn the archbishop’s passing and pray for his soul. This procession was a somber yet powerful moment for the community, which came together to honor and pay their respects to the archbishop and his legacy.
Although his death was a profound loss for Uganda, His Grace Janani Luwum’s memory lives on, and his legacy continues to inspire people in Uganda and beyond to this day.
Retired Rev. Canon Lusaniya Kasamba, who was a student of Luwumu’s at Sir Samuel Baker Secondary School in Gulu District from 1956–59, disputed allegations that the archbishop had been buying weapons from Tanzania. He said, “Indeed, everything was planned to have him eliminated.” According to Kasamba, he recalls from close sources that were with Luwumu at the Nile Apartments (now the Serena Hotel) that he said before opening the entrance door,
“If the shepherd flees, what will happen to the sheep?” “I am not afraid in all this; I see the hand of God.”
Luwum’s sudden and tragic demise left the college community in a state of shock and tension. The gravity of the situation was palpable, with some students unable to even partake in their evening meal. The air was heavy with grief and mourning, and the entire college fell into a somber silence as everyone waited anxiously for any updates on the situation.
To commemorate Archbishop Luwumu’s martyrdom and his invaluable contributions to the nation, a street was named after him. The street, located just a few meters away from Kampala Road as you walk towards Old Taxi Park, stretches from Mini Price in downtown Kampala to Entebbe Road, serving as a permanent reminder of his legacy.
In recognition of his significant role in Uganda’s history, President Museveni declared February 16 a public holiday in 2015 in memory of Archbishop Luwum. Additionally, he directed the Ministries of Education and Gender, Labor, and Social Development to erect a statue in Kampala in honor of the revered archbishop, further cementing his place in Ugandan history.
According to Bumpewte Lawrence, the current dining supervisor at UCU, the dining hall was initially designed to accommodate 800 students. However, due to its spacious design, it can actually cater to more than 1000 people in case of unexpected downpours or other emergency situations.
Janani Luwum was born in 1922 to Eliya Okello and Aireni Aciro in Mucwini, Chua County, and Kitgum District in the northern part of Uganda. He was a young school teacher at Boroboro Teacher’s College when he was converted to Christianity by the East African Revival in his village on January 6, 1948.
In 1949, Luwumu attended Buwalasi Theological College in Eastern Uganda, where he returned as a catechist a year later. He was ordained a deacon in 1955 and a priest in 1956 after completing his training for ordination. Following two periods of study in England, he became the principal of Buwalasi.
In September 1966, Luwumu was appointed as the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire, a position he held for three years before being consecrated as bishop of Northern Uganda on January 25, 1969. His consecration service, which was held in an open-air setting, was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister of Uganda, Milton Obote, and the Chief of Staff of the Army, Idi Amin.
In 1974, Luwumu was appointed as the third Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire, which included eastern DR Congo. He became the second black archbishop after His Grace Erica Sabiiti. Janani Luwum’s commitment to good leadership and his remarkable contributions to the church and to Uganda earned him a significant place in the country’s history.
On February 12, 1977, Archbishop Janani Luwum delivered a protest to Ugandan President Idi Amin against the alleged acts of violence committed by security services.
