The Martyrs of WiPolo
The martyrs of WiPolo, also known as Jildo Irwa and Daudi Okello respectively, were Ugandan martyrs who played significant roles in spreading Christianity in the Acholi region of Uganda. Both were born in the early 20th century and converted to Christianity in 1916 under the influence of Mill Hill Missionaries.
Jilda, baptized as Daudi, and Okello, also baptized as Daudi, became catechists, actively involved in evangelizing their community and establishing Christian communities. Despite facing opposition due to their faith, they remained steadfast in their commitment to Christianity.
In October 1918, during a period of political unrest, Jilda and Okello were martyred for their Christian beliefs. Their deaths, known as the Wipolo Martyrs’ incident, were a result of political tensions and opposition to their missionary work.
THE LIFE OF DAUDI OKELLO; A MARTYR OF WIPOLO
Daudi was born in 1900 and was a son to Lodi and his wife Amona. The martyr belonged to Ongom Payira which is among the largest clans of the Acholi people in the Northern Uganda. At the age of 16 years, Okello was baptized thus receiving the name Daudi by Fr. Caesar Gambaretto on 6th June 1916. Daudi`s God father was Firmino Mugenyi of Masindi.
The comboni missionaries recruited several and willing catechist from the southern areas of Uganda where Christianity had been in existence for 30years. Daudi received the sacrament of confirmation on 15th October 1916. The mission in kitgum that was established in 1915 faced hardships that led to unrest among the population. This was due to Spanish fever epidemic which is a form of syphilis that claimed lives of many people.
Daudi Okello became a catechist and worked alongside Jildo Irwa to spread Christianity among the Acholi people. Despite facing opposition from some members of his community, he remained dedicated to his faith and his mission.
THE LIFE OF JILDO IRWA
Irwa Jildo was born around 1902 and was a son of Tongpfur Daniele and Atoo of Labongo Bar-kitoba one of the clans in Acholi found in kitgum area. In 1916, during the reign of King Daudi Chwa II of Buganda, Jildo Irwa converted to Christianity after being influenced by the teachings of the Mill Hill Missionaries, who had established a presence in the region. He was baptized on 6th of June 1916 and took the name “Daudi” in honor of King Daudi Chwa II. He as well received confirmation on 15th October 1916.
Jildo‘s godfather was one Pasquale Omara of Gulu and at confirmation he was sponsored by Yoannes Baptista Oye one of the first Christians in kitgum.
The Martyrs Mission
The martyrs went for two years religious instructions for Initiation into Christianity. The mission station of kitgum which had been established in 1915 experienced hardships that led to unrest among the population. Many factors contributed to the crisis within the rea such as famine in 1916 which caused death of Antonio, the catechist of Paimol and the proliferation of guns. Despite of all the challenges, Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa took their Christian mission serious and with more determination.
Having completed their probation year as devout Christians in October 1917. The martyrs felt ready to start on an evangelizing mission. David Okello started sounding the drum on 17th April 1918 alerting Christians for the Sunday service as the practice was for long time ago. This time people came with a scaring and intimidating way and stated, “we are tired of you”. He seemed not to be scared and as well they continued threatening him by stating, “you will see with your own eyes tomorrow
The Passing of the Martyrs, Jildo and Daudi
Lakidi‘s group had earlier on wanted to kill the catechists and they as well knew about it but they could leave the area as they were advised. They insisted as well by saying,” we aren’t running away thus life will end as God wants. We didn’t come here for any reason other than the teaching of the religion, if they kill us… God is with us’’.
On Sunday at midnight on 18th October 1918, a group of thugs attacked Amet, the sub-chief of the area. But luck was on his side as he was away on official duties and this disappointed the thugs and instead shot bullets in the air in order to quench their anger. They started setting up fire on the houses in Amet‘s compound, killing a number of people found there.
They therefore went on to search for the catechists, some entered the hut and pulled Daudi and Jildo outside. Due to the native’s objection to their death, the bandits took the catechists outside the fence into the tall grass where they finished them off. Daudi was the first to be speared to death and then Jildo. After being speared, Jildo managed to stumble for twenty yards and later fell down and died. But before his death, he said, ’I am going to die before seeing my mother”. His head was chopped off and he book that he used to teach Christianity was put over his head.
After the death of the two young boys, Lakidi and his men left and disappeared into the nearby hills. Some took women as slave wives and went back to Karamoja threatening to return arms. The bodies of the catechists weren’t buried after their death because they weren’t from that land. After few days the bodies were pulled by a rope to a nearby anthill in the bush and left them to decompose or be eaten by wild animals.
In 1926, the Msgr. Vignato went to paimol, collected the remains of the corpses, put them in an urn and buried them in the church of kitgum. By doing this Msgr. Vignator had ascertained that the two boys had undergone a martyr’s death. Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa were beatified by pope John Paul II on 20TH October 2002. The two beatified blessed catechists lived in paimol, northern part of Uganda.
That way of witnessing to the faith is mysteriously the flow of river Nile from jinja to the northern part of Uganda. The two young men were a sign of Catholicism which continues even today. Thus, Christians gather to witness their martyrdom especially on pilgrimages.
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