Valentine and Janan Luwum days; food for thought.

By Ahmed Katergga Musaazi

MASAKA-UGANDA/NEWSDAY: Monday February 14th is St. Valentine’s Day and Wednesday February 16th is St. Janan Luwum Day,  a public holiday in Uganda.

St. Valentine was a priest who died in prison but struggled to annoint lovers to get holy matrimony. He was therefore canonised by the Roman Catholic Church as chaplain or intercessor of not only lovers, but also prisoners.

St. Jonan Luwum was an Archibishop of Uganda, Rwanda,Burundi and Mboga Zaire in the seventies. He was reportedly killed by Idi Amin regime agents.

The Valentine’s Day was not popular in Uganda until Peter Sematimba, then a General Manager of Radio  CBS FM popularised it in his morning shows.

This was so because of peace, security , stability and tranquility that were ushered in by NRM Government in 1986. With state inspired violence and terrorism Uganda suffered since the Nakulabye killings of 1964; the 1966 crisis, 1969, 1971-1979, 1980 up to 1985, Ugandans could not settle enough to enjoy life at a level they do now like celebrating the valentines’ day.

Under the same NRM administration, the Army Council chaired by President Museveni sat in Gulu in 1992 and passed a resolution supporting restoration of traditional/cultural leaders in areas where they were cherished and restoring legitimate  property to those traditional/ cultural institutions. This was supported by a National Resistance Council Stature in 1993 that amended 1967 Republican Constitution and enabled the coronation of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi ll on Saturday July 31st 1993 at Naggalabi. This event was widely live televised.

Friends of Buganda kingdom and the kingdom itself started CBS FM radio for mobilization of Kabaka’s subjects and hired Sematimba, who used the opportunity to popularize the valentines’ day among his other programs.

He later resigned from a CBS job and opened his own radio Super FM with the likes of late Mulindwa Muwonge and Stuwart Mutebi, with whom he fell out later. He became a Busiro South MP on an NRM ticket from 2016 to 2021.

As for St. Luwum, he was one of the political victims of Idi Amin and his regime. Other of Amin’s notable victims include the first Prime Minister of Uganda and first Ugandan Chief Justice Ben Kiwanuka, cabinet ministers Oboth Ofumbi and E.W.Oryema, Rev. Fr. Clement Kiggundu editor of Munno Publications, Abdullah Anyur Chairman of Public Service Commission, Sheikh Obed Lutale, Frank Kalimuzo, Vice Chancellor of Majerere University etc…

Many , including the Arch Bishop, were implicated in treason cases but were not given a fair hearing. Many including Luwum , were not even tried in special military  tribunals.

The likes of Ben Kiwanika, had been detained without trial by the Obote l regime, and were released by Idi Amin after 1971 coup. So, they jumped from afrying pan to fire, to use Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s phrase.

This time, treason and terrorism suspects are tried and if not convicted, they were  even reappointed to serve in government and living example is Second Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Moses Ali.

Others before and during their trials, are given a chance of amnesty , by law, where they denounce rebellion and are integrated in society as free citizens. Combatants are even integrated into UPDF and other security agencies. Former ministers like Col. William Omaria, Charles Alai were former rebels so are some of our commanders like the late Maj. Gen. Ali Bamuze.

Those convicted of various cases and sent to death, life or other sentences , are pardoned by the President uses his powers under prerogative of mercy as provided by the constitution. The likes of  Col . Nasur Abdullah, former Governor Central Province and Chris Rwakasisi, former State Minister for Security, who were convicted of murder cases and sentenced to death by hanging, were pardoned by the President and are still enjoying life.

Therefore despite some challenges, we face in our daily lives, let us celebrate the valentines’ day, which is no longer religious only, but has become social and commercial compromising Roman Catholic teachings, and St. Jenan Luwum day, who was declared a saint by the Anglican Church, while remembering that the rule of the jungle ended, we have the rule of the law and it is a duty of every citizen to maintain it regardless of faith or political affiliation. Aluta continua.

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