Burial of Lakwena’s father delayed by court

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

Okoya died on July 13 at his home in Gulu City after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. He was 99.

Following Okoya’s death, his siblings and family members had been locked up in a fight on where his remains were to be interred.

His son Robinson Kaunda and other family members had scheduled Saturday to bury Okoya at his home in Latyeng village, Agonga Parish in Bungatira Sub-county, Gulu District according to his son.

Doreen Adokorach, the deceased eldest daughter however objected and instead wanted her father buried in Pabit village, Oding Parish in Unyama Sub-county, Gulu District on August 10.

Through her lawyer Donge and Advocates, Adokorach applied for an interim order in the High Court to block today’s burial arguing her father had left a will indicating after his death, his body be buried in Unyama Sub-county.

George Obong, the Deputy Registrar of the Gulu High Court on Friday issued an interim injunction stopping the burial and instead asked the family members to embrace mediation.

Obong has since fixed Monday, for the family members to return to court for mediation.

He however highlighted that in any case the family fails to agree, the matter will be pushed for hearing before a high court judge.

Sylvester Donge, the Plaintiff’s lawyer 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 left on March 19 before his death directing his daughter to have his body buried in the Unyama sub-county.

Okoya’s body is currently lying at the Fourth Infantry Division morgue in Gulu city.

Who is Okoya?

Okoya was the founder of the New Jerusalem International Tabernacle Ministries, a church located in Gulu City with branches across the Acholi Sub-region.  The church employed both the bible and the 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 a god.

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