A Glimpse into the Alokolum Seminary Diary

August 19th, 1931

Arrival of the first group of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in Uganda. (These are the founders of the formation House of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart that occupied the Alokolum Premises before the H.S.C and the Seminary itself.)

1953

Construction of the granary with a ground and first floor. (it now houses the stores next to the workshop and garage)

1955

The garage and the workshop were constructed next to the granary

December 25th, 1955

The first fruits of the Brother’s formation were realized. (Six African Brothers pronounced their first vows in the Institute)

1955 – June 5th 1956

The first of the main buildings was constructed in form of a massive letter “I”. This building now corresponds to; (WESTERN WING) - the reception, Secretary’s office, accountants’ office and the Rector’s office, (EASTERN WING) – Dean of Studies’ office, Vice Rector’s office and the now tailoring room. The middle section currently holds some visitor’s rooms and the Year II and Year III class rooms. This building was a work of Brother Felician.

December 25th, 1961

Enthroning of the statue of the Sacred Heart. (Bishop Cesana was present on this ceremony)

1962

Brother Lionel erected the Chapel.

December 19th, 1964

The Alokolum Chapel was dedicated by Bishop Cesana of Gulu Diocese.

1968

The Brothers of the Sacred Heart decided to discontinue recruiting due to lack of aspirants and given the conditions of the time that were not in their favour. This eventually led to the closure of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Formation Centre of the Brothers at Alokolum.

Tuesday October 8th, 1968

A meeting was held in Kisubi by the Bishops of Uganda and other religious Superiors to discuss the possibility of establishing an inter community and Diocesan H.S.C. (The first site that was suggested for this college was Kisubi Mt. St. Theresa and eventually Alokolum was also thought of).

December 28th, 1968

The standing Committee whose membership included; Bishop J. Willigers, Bro. A. Roy, Bro. A. Greenwood and Fr. Ceasar Buwule visited Alokolum to assess its suitability for a H.S.C College.

Friday May 15th, 1970

Uganda Martyrs’ College, Alokolum was officially opened by His Excellency Msgr. Bellotti by then Apostolic Pronuncio in Uganda.

October 25th, 1972

The Board Of Governors discussed the closure of Uganda Martyrs’ College, Alokolum.

November 30th, 1972

This was the official date when Uganda Martyrs’ College, Alokolum was closed.

February 6th, 1973

The Uganda Episcopal Conference decided to have a third National Major Seminary established at Alokolum - Gulu.

May 5th, 1973

It was the proposed date for the official opening of Alokolum National Major Seminary though it was delayed by some circumstances.

May 22nd, 1973

Official opening of Uganda Martyrs’ National Major Seminary, Alokolum. It was officiated by Bishop Cypriano Kihangire (Bishop of Gulu Diocese by then) with Fr. Nazareno Inya as the First Rector.

February 1974

Official opening of Alokolum National Major Seminary Library.

By May 1975

St. Kizito House construction had been completed and opened for use while Lwanga house was completed in the following year of 1976.

October 11th, 1976

The seminary Chapel was burnt in the course of forcing out the bees that had colonized the ceiling of the Seminary Chapel. Its reconstruction started in January 1977 and completed in 1979. It is after the reconstruction that the Zairean stations of the Cross now in the Seminary Chapel as well as the big cross above the Tabernacle and the Sanctuary furniture now in use were ordered.

April 1977

Arrival of Fr. Egidio Nkaijanabwo (now Bishop) as the second Rector of Alokolum Seminary.

September 9th, 1982

The Seminary received a TATA Lorry though it was unfortunately later lost to the bandits who looted it in 1987.

March 1983

The Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate (of Gulu) opened up a convent at the Seminary following the completion of their House.

May 1983

Fr. Deogratias Byabazaire (Later Bishop) was appointed as the third Rector of Alokolum National Major Seminary. (Fr. Deo led the Seminary through one of its most difficult periods in History which was the first exile to Katigondo in 1987.)

November 1983

The students’ refectory was blessed and officially opened by Bishop Cyprian Kihangire.

1984

The Seminary Farm was established with some 9 dairy cattle.

February 8th, 1987, at 3:00 p.m.

The UPDA (Uganda People’s Democratic Army) on a looting spree appeared on the Campus of Alokolum Seminary shooting at random and paralysing the Seminary community. They carried away all they wanted and this increased fear within the Seminary community.

May 18th, 1987

The Seminary transferred to St. Monica Tailoring Centre in Gulu Town bag and baggage, thence to her new temporary home to continue the noble work of Priestly formation in Northern Uganda. (Alokolum fled into exile)

September 21st, 1987

The Support and Friendship committee (S.P.C.) was formed to establish a link with the Seminary in exile and for coordination purposes.

July 4th, 1988

The new Rector Fr. John Baptist Odama (now Archbishop emeritus) visited the Seminary on a familiarization visit.

June 11th, 1989

The Seminary Library ceiling was combed in search for property to steal. In the process, ceiling boards caught fire and developed into an inferno that completely destroyed the Library to ruins. (By any judgment, this is the greatest loss on record to the Seminary)

October 2nd, 1989

Government and Gulu District officials visited Alokolum Seminary for “on-the-spot” assessment of the situations at hand.

September 27th, 1992

Alokolum came back from exile and re-opened her doors to continue with the noble task of forming Shepherds after the Heart of Christ.

1993

The Foster parents Association was established.

1998

Alokolum Seminary celebrated her Silver Jubilee.

…to be continued in our next publication…

Credit to Augustine Mugarura, Jino Mwaka and Celestino Lanek, authors of A History of Priestly Training in Northern Uganda: Twenty-Five Years of Alokolum National Major Seminary, through which we have accessed most of the above information.