John Baptist Odama
| The Most Reverend John Baptist Odama | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu, Uganda | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu |
| See | Gulu |
| Appointed | 2 January 1999 |
| Installed | 2 January 1999 |
| Term ended | 22 March 2024 |
| Predecessor | Martin Luluga |
| Successor | Raphael p'Mony Wokorach, M.C.C.J. |
| Other posts | 1. Bishop of Nebbi (23 February 1996 - 2 January 1999) 2. Apostolic Administrator of Gulu (22 March 2024 - 12 July 2024) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 14 December 1974 by Angelo Tarantino |
| Consecration | 26 May 1996 by Emmanuel Wamala |
| Rank | Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 June 1947 Riki-Oluko, Arua District, Uganda |
John Baptist Odama (born 20 July 1947) is a Ugandan Roman Catholic prelate who served as the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu, in Uganda, from 2 January 1999 until his age-related retirement on 22 March 2024. Before that, from 23 February 1996 and 2 January 1999, he was bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nebbi, in Uganda. He was appointed bishop by Pope John Paul II. He was consecrated and installed at Nebbi on 26 May 1996. On 2 January 1999, the Holy Father transferred him to Gulu and appointed him the Metropolitan Archbishop there. His age-related resignation was accepted by Pope Francis on 22 March 2024. While in retirement, he served as Apostolic Administrator of the archdiocese of Gulu from 22 March 2024 until 12 July 2024.
Background and priesthood
Odama was born in Riki-Oluko Village, in present-day Arua District, in the West Nile sub-region, in the Northern Region of Uganda on 29 June 1947. He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Arua, on 14 December 1974, at Arua Cathedral, by Bishop Angelo Tarantino, Bishop of Arua. He served as priest of Arua Diocese until 23 February 1996.[1]
As bishop
On 23 February 1996, Pope John Paul II appointed Odama bishop. He was consecrated Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nebbi, on 26 May 1996, serving in that capacity until 2 January 1999.[1]
On 2 January 1999, he was appointed Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu, being the first Catholic prelate to serve in that role; the Archdiocese having been created that same day.[1][2]
Odama was the chairman of the interfaith organisation known as Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI), from 2002 until 2010.[3] The organisation was involved in peace-building efforts in Northern Uganda. As leader of the organisation, Odama met with Joseph Kony and other leaders of the Lord’s Resistance Army and mediated between them and the Government of Uganda.[4] ARLPI received the Niwano Peace Prize in 2004. Odama was also involved in the 2006–08 Juba talks between the two parties in South Sudan.[5][6]
Archbishop Odama has been the chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference since 2010.[7]
Odama retired in March 2024 and was replaced by Raphael p’Mony Wokorach from Nebbi Catholic Diocese.[8][9]
Other responsibilities
As of January 2020, Archbishop Odama is the Chancellor of Uganda Martyrs University, a private university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda and whose main campus is in Mpigi District, Uganda.[10]
Odama is also considered an adviser on matters of politics and national guidance for many politicians in Uganda.[11][12]
See also
References
- Back to citation occurrence 1.0 Back to citation occurrence 1.1 Back to citation occurrence 1.2 David M. Cheney (3 April 2025). "MicroData Summary for Archbishop John Baptist Odama (born 29 June 1947) Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu". Kansas City. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- Back to citation David M. Cheney (17 February 2019). "Profile of the Archdiocese of Gulu: Historical Summary". Kansas City: Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- Back to citation "My Tenure Was Very Challenging-Archbishop Odama:". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- Back to citation "ARCH ODAMA: I remain committed to peace in Northern Uganda". The Independent Uganda. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- Back to citation Pax Christi International (2006). "About Acholi Religious Leaders' Peace Initiative". Brussels, Belgium: Pax Christi International. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- Back to citation Mike Wooldridge (19 January 2011). "LRA: Ugandan Bishop Urges Negotiated Settlement". London: British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- Back to citation "Uganda Episcopal Conference: About Uganda Catholic Secretariat". Uganda Episcopal Conference. 6 June 2010. Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- Back to citation EWTN. "Pope Francis Accepts Retirement of Catholic Archbishop of Gulu in Uganda, Appoints Successor". ACI Africa. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- Back to citation "Archbishop Emeritus Odama celebrates 50th year as priest". The Independent Uganda. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- Back to citation Mathias Mazinga (10 November 2018). "Uganda Martyrs University passes out 2040 graduates". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- Back to citation "Age limit: Bishop Odama urges legislators on honesty and transparency". Monitor. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- Back to citation "News: Archbishop Odama asks Museveni to pardon prisoners". New Vision. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2025.