Daudi Okelo & Jildo Irwa have been beautified as saints and their Martyrdom led to the founding of the Kalongo Mission.
Daudi Okello was born in Payira Ogom in present-day Pader district, while Jildo Irwa hailed from Olwor Nguu – Labongo in Okidi Parish in Labongo amida Sub County in Kitgum district. They later migrated to Kitgum Mission for catechumen training from where they were confirmed into Christianity and commissioned as priests in Paimol.
They became martyrs after they were hounded, threatened and speared to death in October 1918 by a group of executioners sent by Rwot Ogal, the then sub-chief of Paimol in Agago district.
Their remains were abandoned in an open landscape between the great hills of Paimol. The field has since been renamed Wii-Polo to mean in Heaven.
Journey to the beatification of blessed Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa
This book is about the life, work and death of the two Martyrs of Wii Polo, Blessed Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa.
It takes you through the journey from their childhood, their first contact with missionaries, their Catechumate until their Martyrdom in October 1918.
It reveals the turning point that led to the beatification of Blessed Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa by Pope John Paul II (now St. John Paul II) on 20th October, 2002, discusses the lessons and messages of the Martyrs and looks at the present Status of the Wii Polo Shrine.
The book is written by Professor John Joseph Otim who is the son of Yosefu Ocaya and Natalia Adwar who travelled with Fr. Gambaretto to Palamuku (now Wii-Polo) in Piamol to recover the bones of Blessed Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa and then back to Kalongo to establish Kalongo Mission in memory of the martyrdom of the two Catechists. Professor Otim initiated the process that led to the eventual beatification of Blessed Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa.