The Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu is a religious congregation of Sisters that was founded in 1936 in Gulu - Northern Uganda, East Africa by Bishop Angelo Negri(picture above). The Rt. Reverend Bishop Angelo Negri was a Comboni Missionary who served in the then Gulu Diocese - now The Archdiocese of Gulu. Prior to its formal founding, some work had already been done by Monsignor Antonio Vignato when he was the Apostolic Prefect of Equatorial Nile. Before being erected a Diocese, the Vicariate of Gulu was a jurisdiction that was governed from Sudan as an integral part of Equatorial Nile. Monsignor Antonia Vignato wanted a religious congregation of African sisters to be established in Gulu.

On the feast of Epiphany of 1945, four(4) girls out of the six(6) novices took the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.

The congregation finally started in Gulu in 1939 when the first 10 Girls from Mary Immaculate Primary School that was ran by Comboni Missionary Nuns began to ask His Lordship Bishop Angelo Negri to allow them become nuns. The request of the girls was granted and they were subsequently placed under the care of Rev Sr Angioletta Dognini - herself a Comboni Religious Sister who simultaneously became the Co-Foundresss of the congregation. On Christmas day of 1942, six girls became novices and on the feast of Epiphany of 1945, four(4) girls out of the six(6) novices took the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. Thus registering the first and historic professions in the congregation of the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu (LSMIG). These girls were:-

1. Sr. Mary Santina Adjumani
2. Sr. Mary Rosa
3. Sr. Mary Angela Abonyo
4. Sr. Mary Juliana Ajok

About the Congregation

The Congregation is among the poorest in Uganda, and the Northern region where it is based in the most neglected and economically, war-ravaged area in the country. Members of the Congregation work cultivating the land, teaching in schools, working as nurses, and providing pastoral care. Moved by the burning love of Jesus Christ, the Sisters carry out dedicated missionary services to the underprivileged, the neglected, and the vulnerable; among them are the blind, orphans, HIV/AIDS victims, youth, women, and physically impaired children.

Impact of the Little Sisters of Mary Imaculate of Gulu.

The Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu have campaigned for the last 60 years, bringing a big change about today in the attitude towards women. Most of the elderly Sisters fled their homes and exiled themselves as young girls in order to to become Sisters. Years later, after they professed as Sisters, they come to be accepted by their families.

Today, there are over 486 professed Sisters, 21 novices and 19 postulants. The war has greatly affected vocations and our numbers have dropped considerably. Many young women who feel the call do not possess even the basic education needed to qualify for continued vocational studies, as a result of UPE (Universal Primary Education).