DIAMOND JUBILEE MESSAGE
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“Rooted in the Eucharist, United with St. Joseph.”
As we stand on the threshold of our Diamond Jubilee, marking seventy-five years since the erection of the Diocese of Gulu on December 1, 1950, my heart overflows with gratitude to Almighty God. This milestone is not merely a celebration of time passed, but a profound testament to the resilience of our faith and the enduring grace that has guided the People of God in Northern Uganda through seasons of both trial and peace.
Since those first seeds were sown by the Comboni Missionaries, the Archdiocese of Gulu has grown into a vibrant forest of faith, now spanning thirty-five parishes. This Jubilee is a sacred “Kairos” moment—an appointed time for us to look back with thanksgiving, to live the present with enthusiasm, and to look forward to the future with unwavering confidence.
Our theme for this celebration calls us to the very center of our identity. To be Rooted in the Eucharist is to draw our life force from the True Vine, Jesus Christ. It is in the Breaking of the Bread that we find the strength to heal, to reconcile, and to build. To be United with St. Joseph, our beloved Patron, is to place our families and our institutional legacy under the protection of the Just Man who guarded the Redeemer.
This Handbook is provided to you as a tool for animation and unity. It is my desire that every parish, every Small Christian Community, and every household participates fully in this journey. Whether through the “Green Legacy” tree-planting initiative, the construction of our new Archdiocesan Office Complex, or the solemn pilgrimage of the Jubilee Icons, let every action be an act of worship.
I especially call upon the youth to be the “Living Stones” of this Jubilee. As you plant trees and manage our digital witness, remember that you are the architects of the next seventy-five years.
As the Jubilee Monstrance and the Statue of St. Joseph travel through our parishes, may they bring a renewal of prayer and a spirit of self-reliance to all our people. Let us build not just monuments of stone, but a temple of the Holy Spirit that reflects the glory of God.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, and St. Joseph, our Patron, intercede for us as we journey toward the Grand Climax on March 19, 2027.
I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing upon you all.
Most Reverend Raphael p’Mony Wokorach, mccj
Archbishop of Gulu
Historical Background
Gulu, like all the territories along the Nile valley, belonged to the Apostolic Vicariate of Central Africa created in 1846, and which had been suspended because of too many deaths of missionaries. The sons and daughters of St. Daniel Comboni who were the first missionaries in Gulu had been there for a while.
The Vicariate of Central Africa was eventually re-activated and entrusted to Msgr. Daniel Comboni with the same boundaries of 1846. In 1877 he was promoted Bishop and Vicar Apostolic with his See in Khartoum. With the help of many explorers and commanders, Saint Daniel Comboni had studied and planned to push southward down to Uganda. Even so, the Roman Authorities did not allow him to proceed. Read more
Our Institutions
Parishes
Administratively, the Archdiocese is organized into two vicariates. Kitgum Vicariate consists of 15 parishes, while Gulu Vicariate comprises 20 parishes, bringing the total number of parishes in the Archdiocese to 35.
Schools
The Archdiocese of Gulu operates a network of Catholic-founded schools that provide quality education rooted in Christian values, academic excellence, and moral formation. Some of the notable institutions include St. Joseph’s College Layibi, Sacred Heart Secondary School Gulu, Archbishop Flynn Secondary School, and Giulio Pastore Primary School, Kitgum. Through its Education Department, the Archdiocese continues to promote holistic learning and improve educational standards across its institutions.
Health Facilities
The Archdiocese of Gulu provides quality healthcare services through a network of Catholic health facilities that complement government efforts in delivering accessible and affordable healthcare. The major Catholic hospitals within the Archdiocese include St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor, St. Joseph’s Hospital Kitgum, and Kalongo Hospital. Other Church-owned health facilities, including health centres and dispensaries, provide preventive, curative, maternal and child health, and community outreach services. Through these institutions, the Archdiocese continues to uphold the Church’s healing ministry by serving all people, especially the poor and vulnerable.
Universities
The University of the Sacred Heart – Gulu (USHG) is a Catholic university established by the Archdiocese of Gulu to promote quality higher education, research, and integral human development. Located in Gulu City, the university is committed to forming competent professionals guided by Christian values, ethics, and service to society. It offers programmes in areas such as Counselling Psychology, Information Systems, Business, and other disciplines, while promoting the healing and transformation of communities in Northern Uganda.