UGANDA

COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA
84. Holy Spirit Mobile Forces/Holy Spirit Movement in Eastern Uganda
(1986 - 1987)
Alice Auma Lakwena founded the Holy Spirit Movement (HSM) in northern Uganda in
1986 to serve as a fighting force to redeem Uganda from evil and bloodshed. 390 The HSM
operated under the guidance of a spirit called Lakwena, speaking through Alice Auma.
The HSM forces used stones as their major weapon of war, believing that stone would
miraculously turn into bullets or bombs. 391
In 1987, HSM also moved into the Teso sub-region (Soroti District). The movement
established its presence in Tubur sub-county (Soroti District) for approximately six
months where it endeavoured to gain the support of the local population without
resorting to the use of force. The participants observed that the movement did not
attract many Iteso followers. 392
The participants noted that the HSM did not loot from local communities, electing
instead to buy or beg for food. Similarly, the forces did not forcefully conscript or abduct
civilians. Some youth joined the movement voluntarily, often with the intention of
securing access to food. They also did not commit serious atrocities against civilians
as the fighters believed that the spirits did not allow the killing of innocent civilians. 393
However, the HSM did attack the NRA detachments and barracks on numerous occasions
while proceeding toward Kampala, and the population suffered reprisals by the National
Resistance Army (NRA), including arrests of suspected rebel collaborators. In a number
of cases, participants accused the NRA of burying people alive. 394 Determined not to
cease their fight until they captured the capital, HSM forces engaged in continuous fights
with the NRA from Soroti to other eastern districts, including Mbale and Jinja. The NRA
finally defeated the HSM in October 1987, near Jinja. 395
85. Uganda Peoples Front/Army rebellion or “Teso War” (1987- 1992)
The Uganda People’s Front (UPF) and its Army (UPA) were formed in Teso in 1987 in
opposition to the government of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The UPF 396 was
390 Literature suggests different years in which the HSM was active, for instance, see: Lindemann, S. (2011)
Just another change in guard? Broad-based politics and civil war in Museveni’s Uganda. African Affairs,
110(440). pp. 387-416; Doom, R. and Vlassenroot, K. (1999) Kony’s message: A new koine? The Lord’s
Resistance Army in Northern Uganda. African Affairs, 98 (390), pp. 5-36; Nannyonjo, J. (2005) Conflicts,
poverty and human development in Northern Uganda. United Nations University Research Paper No.
2005/47, p. 3.
391 Research conducted in Soroti District
392 Ibid
393 Doom, R. and Vlassenroot, K. (1999) Kony’s message: A new koine? The Lord’s Resistance Army in
Northern Uganda. African Affairs, 98 (390), pp. 5-36
394 Research conducted in Tororo District
395 Literature seems to suggest the HSM was active in 1986 and 1987. For instance, see: Lindemann, S. (2011)
Just another change in guard? Broad-based politics and civil war in Museveni’s Uganda. African Affairs,
110(440). pp. 387-416; Doom, R. and Vlassenroot, K. (1999) Kony’s message: A new koine? The Lord’s
Resistance Army in Northern Uganda. African Affairs, 98 (390), pp. 5-36
396 Peter Otai was a Minister of State for Defence under Obote II administration (1981-1985); Research
conducted in Soroti District
178