High court blocks burial of rebel leader Lakwena’s father

The High court in Gulu has issued a temporary injunction blocking the burial of Severino Kiberu Okoya, a self-styled prophet and father to former Holy Spirit Movement rebel leader Alice Auma Lakwena.

Okoya died last month July 13 at his home in Gulu, northern Uganda after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 99. Following Okoya’s death, his siblings, children and other family members have been locked up in a fight over where his remains were to be interred.

One family section led by his son, Robinson Kaunda had scheduled Saturday, August 3 to bury him at his home in Latyeng village, Bungatira sub-county in Gulu district.

However other family members led by Doreen Adokorach, the deceased eldest daughter objected and instead wanted Okoya buried in Pabit village, Unyama sub-county in Gulu district on August 10. Through her lawyer Sylvester Donge from Donge and Advocates, Adokorach applied for an interim order in the High court to block the burial, arguing that her father left behind a will instructing that he should be buried in Unyama.

George Obong, deputy registrar of the Gulu High court on Friday issued an interim injunction stopping the burial and asked the warring family factions to embrace mediation. Obong has since fixed next Monday, for the family members to return to court for mediation.

Obong said that in case the family fails to come to a consensus, the matter will be pushed further for hearing before a High court judge. Donge said that since it’s a family matter, they will embrace mediation to ensure the matter is amicably resolved.

Donge however says they will stand by the deceased’s written will which he reportedly signed off on March 19, 2024 directing his daughter to have his body buried in the Unyama. Okoya’s body is currently lying at the Fourth Infantry Division morgue in Gulu city.

About Okoya

Okoya was the founder of the New Jerusalem International Tabernacle Ministries, a church located in Gulu with branches across the Acholi sub-region. Okoya’s church employed both the Bible and Quran during worship and healing services and reportedly has over 10,000 followers.

Over the years, Okoya received wide criticism from community members who accused him of engaging in cult practices. Okoya was arrested many times by the police and survived lynching by a mob for erecting shrines illegally in communities and claiming to be God.