“The happiest day of my life will be the one in which I give my life for you.” These words, inspired by Daniel Comboni, were chosen by Fr. William Nyadru as his ordination motto. Years later, the phrase would take on a profound and tragic meaning in his missionary journey.
Fr. William Nyadru, born in 1960, belonged to the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus. He entered Alokolum Major Seminary in 1979 and made his first religious vows on 5 May 1984 before taking perpetual vows in 1987. Although his priestly ministry lasted only a few years, his life and witness continue to be remembered with admiration among many Christians and missionaries.
Fr. Nyadru was killed on 25 October 1991 in Morulem, within the present-day Kotido Catholic Diocese. The circumstances surrounding his death have never been fully established. However, accounts recorded by fellow missionaries suggest that local warriors preparing for a cattle raid may have consulted a traditional diviner, who allegedly demanded the sacrifice of a man riding a motorcycle in exchange for success in the raid. On the day of the incident, Fr. Nyadru was travelling between Kotido and Moroto to collect baptism cards for use during Sunday celebrations when he was attacked and killed.
According to testimonies from those who later recovered his body, he was found lying face down in a posture that some compared to the position taken during priestly ordination, a detail that deeply moved many members of the Church community.
Fr. William’s ordination in October 1988 had been a historic occasion for the Catholic faithful in Moyo District. Christians gathered in large numbers to celebrate the ordination of the first Madi member of the Comboni Missionaries. The church built by the missionaries who introduced Christianity to the region decades earlier was filled to capacity as people celebrated the milestone with great pride and joy.
More than three decades later, Christians, religious leaders, and members of the Comboni community gathered once again at the same parish for a thanksgiving celebration in memory of Fr. Nyadru’s life and witness. Among those present were church leaders from Uganda and South Sudan, members of the Comboni congregation, and faithful from different parts of the region.
The commemorative Mass was led by Raphael Wokorach P’mony, who described Fr. Nyadru as a missionary who embraced his vocation wholeheartedly. In his homily, the Archbishop reflected on the priest’s dedication to service and obedience within the Comboni family.
He recalled that Fr. Nyadru had previously been sent to London for studies in journalism and communication and was later expected to contribute to Catholic media apostolate work. Before assuming those responsibilities, however, he was assigned to gain missionary experience in Morulem Parish in Karamoja, a region many considered difficult to serve at the time.
Archbishop Wokorach noted that Fr. Nyadru accepted the assignment with commitment and courage, following the missionary spirit of St. Daniel Comboni, whose ministry in Africa was marked by sacrifice, hardship, and perseverance. According to the Archbishop, missionaries such as Fr. Nyadru dedicate themselves to serving wounded communities with compassion and hope.
He also encouraged Christians to respond to the suffering of others with solidarity and love, saying that healing and reconciliation begin when people are willing to accompany one another through difficult experiences. He further reflected on the broader wounds affecting society, including violence and corruption, urging communities to become instruments of peace and renewal.
The anniversary celebrations also included the blessing of Fr. Nyadru’s renovated grave at the parish cemetery, cultural presentations, and a panel discussion reflecting on his life and missionary legacy. Students from St. Mary Assumpta, Pakele, performed a poetic reenactment inspired by the events surrounding his death.
During the discussion, Fr. Philip Zema MCCJ, who studied alongside Fr. Nyadru, described him as a deeply committed missionary who inspired many young people to consider religious life and missionary service. He observed that Fr. Nyadru had intended to use media and communication as tools for evangelization and remembered him as a person whose witness left a lasting impression on the Comboni community.
Sr. Dominic Dipio also reflected on Fr. Nyadru’s legacy, describing his life as a gift offered in service to both the Church and society. She noted that his death highlighted the painful reality of violence that has affected many communities and challenged Christians to examine how deeply they live out the values of faith, peace, and compassion.
