‘Forgive Lakwena’s Father’

Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Northern Uganda Diocese Emeritus Bishop Rt Rev Nelson Onono Onweng has called on the people in the Acholi Sub-region to forgive Severino Kiberu Okoya, the father to former Holy Spirit Movement rebel leader Alice Auma Lakwena.

Speaking to mourners during the burial of Okoya on Saturday, Bishop Onono-onweng says he understands some still have silent anger over wrong things the deceased could have done but asked that he deserves forgiveness like any other man who sins.

Okoya was buried at his home in Owak cells, Agonga ward in Pece-Laroo Division, Gulu City on Saturday nearly three months after his death.

The burial was presided over by the Anglian church, a denomination Okoya had abandoned earlier before starting his New Jerusalem International Tabernacle church which used both the bible and Quoran.

Bishop Onono-onweng noted that despite Okoya’s different choice of faith, and the wide condemnation against him by locals in the region, the Church of Uganda saw it befitting to preside over his burial.

The former self-styled prophet passed away on July 13 aged 99 from his home in Awere cell in Pece Laroo Division. His burial was earlier halted by the High Court in Gulu in August following a petition by his eldest daughter Doreen Adokorach following disputes between his siblings and family members over the burial venue.

Adokorach sought the court’s order to allow his father to be buried in Oding village in Unyama Sub-county claiming before Okoya’s death, he had left a will. Justice George Okello, the Gulu High Court Resident in a ruling last week dismissed Adokorach’s application and ordered Okoya’s remains be interred at his main home in Owak cell.

Bishop Onono-onweng however told mourners that while the siblings had their major differences, it was time for them to unite, settle their differences and live peacefully.

Robinson Kaunda, the deceased son, told journalists during a press briefing last week that the family has over the years received a negative perception from the public and asked that for whatever wrongs their father did, he should be forgiven.

Okoya was often criticised by the public and law enforcement within the Acholi Sub-region over his spiritual practices. He cast himself as a god with supernatural powers of healing people. One time, in 2016, Okoya was arrested by the Police in Gulu after a sick child died at his temple where his parents had brought him to receive healing.

In February 2017, Okoya survived lynching by an angry mob in Agago district who accused him of spreading false prophesies to locals. He also served jail terms at Luzira Maximum Prison between 1989 and 1992 following his arrest by the government on allegations of engaging in rebel activities.

Okoya was born on March 6, 1924, from Patiko Ajulu in Gulu district. He started his evangelism in 1989 till his death and operated the Meltar Jerusalem Tabernacles Ministries. Okoya had 15 children but only four are alive.

****

URN