Bishop Francis Loyo Development Philosophy

Bishop Francis Loyo of the Diocese of Rokon in South Sudan sadly passed away on October 3rd in Kampala, Uganda. Mama Linda Aguli also passed on at Freedom Hospital in Juba, South Sudan. During Sudan’s civil war, Bishop Loyo was imprisoned and tortured, while his family fled into the bush. They believed each other dead for several years until they were reunited by relief agencies at the Sudan–Uganda border in the Kaya corridor of Greater Yei River County.

Bishop Francis Loyo was born to peasant parents. His mother wished to send him to missionary school, but his father did not initially value formal education. He lost his father at age three and his mother at age six, after which he went to live with his sister, Poni Jackline. Out of seven siblings, three died young, leaving Bishop Loyo the youngest among the four surviving children.

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He was imprisoned for advocating Sudan’s liberation. After his release as a political prisoner in 1986, he pursued further studies in Ghana. He studied theology at Trinity College in Ghana and later transferred to Kenya in 1991 with his colleague, the late Canon Kenneth Baringwa.

He was ordained as a pastor in 1993 at Kochi One Refugee Settlement in Koboko, Uganda. In 1997, he became Bishop of the Diocese of Rokon in the Episcopal Church of South Sudan. Originally trained as a teacher, he remained deeply committed to supporting education, especially in SPLA-liberated areas.

Bishop Loyo established a diocesan office in Kera, providing refuge for displaced persons from the Pojjulu, Moru, and Nyagwara communities. He delivered free essential services including healthcare, WASH programs, agricultural livelihood support, and food distribution. His dedication to education led to construction of schools to support vulnerable communities across South Sudan.

Before his death, he transferred the diocesan headquarters from Kera to Rokon, relocating schools and constructing churches to promote peace through evangelism and community unity.

Bishop Loyo built strong international partnerships with Durham University and St. John College, which led to the creation of the Edith Jackson Trust — an initiative supporting students in conflict-affected countries facing war and natural disasters, including South Sudan.