UGANDA

NORTHERN CONFLICTS
committed by the NRA after the overthrow of Tito Okello’s Government, the twins started
mobilising youths and former army colleagues to fight and liberate the Acholi people. 330
Together with 14 others, it is believed that Opio and Ocen started their rebellion as
traditional healers against the NRA government in 1987, based in Dog Abera in Paicho
sub-county, where they trained followers and cured sicknesses. It was also widely
believed that, in the beginning, they were ill equipped with just two guns and some
machetes (pangas).
Following the acquisition of additional weapons and a period of training, they waged
a small-scale rebellion against the NRA. In a final clash with the NRA in 1988 in Corner
Kitgum, they lost most of their followers and were overpowered. The followers killed
during this battle were buried in a mass grave along Corner Kitgum in Iriaga Village, Gulu
District. 331 Opio and Ocen managed to escape and are still alive today. Some participants
indicated that they were captured, imprisoned and later released.
66. The Lord’s Resistance Army (1987 - present)
330 ibid
331 ibid
149