UGANDA

NORTHERN CONFLICTS
of former Uganda National Liberation Army fighters in 1986. 322 She made her first
armed attack on Christmas Eve in 1986 in Kitgum, and many people at the time
were convinced that she would successfully overthrow the Museveni Government.
Lakwena’s popularity began to decrease among the Acholi community when her
supernatural powers failed to save them from NRA bullets during their encounters.
However, the HSMF proceeded to Lira and Soroti Districts on their way toward Kampala.
Although they were initially welcomed in these areas because they did not attack local
communities, they did not gain massive support in the region either. Eventually, the
HSMF abandoned their base in Tubur sub-county, Soroti District and continued to the
Busoga sub-region. 323 The HSMF were eventually defeated by the NRA in Busoga, Jinja
District, forcing Lakwena into exile in Kenya in December
1987. 324
147
64. Jo Pa Won or Holy Spirit
Movement II (1987- 1989)
Jo Pa Won, or the Holy Spirit Movement
II (HSM II), was founded in 1987 after the
defeat of the Holy Spirit Mobile Forces
of Alice Auma Lakwena. Led by Severino
Lukoya, the father of Alice Lakwena,
HSM II followers were called ‘Jo pa won’
in Acholi/Luo, meaning ‘Followers of the
Father’. This referred to the spiritual belief
of trinity salvation where Severino Lukoya
was seen as the Father, Joseph Kony as
the Son and Alice Auma Lakwena as the
Holy Spirit. Lukoya’s rebel movement did
not gain as much popularity and support
as that of his daughter, though some
followers of Lakwena later joined HSM II. 325
As a result, the rebellion only lasted briefly,
soon to be defeated by the more powerful
National Resistance Army. In 1989, Lukoya
surrendered to the government and was
imprisoned.
Though this marked the end of HSM II,
participants widely agreed that it also
322 Allen, T. (1991) Understanding Alice: Uganda’s Holy Spirit Movement in context. Africa: Journal of the
International African Institute 61:3(1991) 371-72
323 Research conducted in Pader District
324 Research conducted in Soroti District
325 Research conducted in Pader District; See also Allen, T “Understanding Alice: Uganda’s Holy Spirit
Movement in Context.” Journal of the International African Institute, 61 (3), pp. 370-399