To survive in the LRA one needs to do everything asked of him; witness tells court

On November 8^th, Odong Audi Kakanyero- a former Lord’s Resistance Army abductee testified in the trial of Dominic Ongwen at the ICC about his relationship with Ongwen, abduction and escape from the LRA. Kakanyero is a born of Corom- a village from where Dominic Ongwen originates.

Kakanyero referred to Dominic Ongwen as his brother, “I should refer to him as my brother because our fathers are clan brothers.” He narrated how the LRA captured him, Ongwen and OpioOloro from Corom on their way to Alero P.7 School where the trio were schooling in 1987. He also explained the initiationrituals carried out to integrate them into the rebel group, which he said created fear and thoughts that something bad would happen to him. “Smearing me with shear butter changed the world for me, I never felt myself after.” Kakanyero recalled.

While responding to Bridgman- one of the defense lawyers who examined him in-chief, Kakanyero told court that Dominic Ongwen was not more than 11 years old at the time of abduction. He further mentioned that they were abducted at a time when the LRA where still relying on stones to fight the government soldiers. He also recalled that while in the bush, they were always told that they were abducted because the new government was forcefully recruiting people to go and protect their cattle in Ankole [South western part of Uganda known for rearing cattle]. “…sothey said we were abducted for our own security, “he explained

The witnesses further told court that while in the bush, they were taken through various trainings by a commander called Omony who he said was a second lieutenant at that time and was in charge of abductees. “They said the training was to enable us protect ourselves.”Kakanyero said. Healso recalled how Lt. Omony attempted to escape from a place near Patiko but was captured and gruesomely buttered to death using an axe.

“…they ordered that Omony be caught and brought back or else people should be killed from his home village.” The witness recalled that, Omony was apprehended and axed to death in front of everyone as a lesson for those who wanted to escape. He told court that this experience coupled with several other killings witnessed later on created a lot of fear in him.

While responding to another question from Bridgman, Kakanyero described Dominic Ongwen as, “a very good child; well behaved and calmest,” amongst all the children with whom they lived prior to abduction. While in the bush, he said there was no time to interact with Ongwen because of constant pursuit by the UPDF. “The only thing is to keep praying to God to keep you alive” he said

He also narrated about his first battle which paved way for his escape three months after abduction. He told court that he was selected among 400 soldiers to attack John Garang’s [late] base in current South Sudan in order to obtain guns. Armed with logs and sticks, the troops were taken to the yard for prayers before setting off for battle. He described the yard as the holiest place in the LRA. While in the yard, they sung praise and worship songs to God to grace the battle.

In the battle, the witness said, he sustained injuries in the stomach and  was taken to a sick bay in Patiko from where he got an opportunity to escape. He stated that his escape was possible because guards in the sick bay were least capable of recapturing him than the ‘special forces’. He added that to be able to survive in the LRA one needs to do everything asked of him.

While responding to Bridgman’s question regarding how Ongwen felt after witnessing killings, Kakanyero said Ongwen was depressed but had nothing to. “If you are in the hands of a beast you have to do what he asks,”he said.

The witness further told court that when he returned home, he found out that Odomi’s [referring to Ongwen] parents were not there and after inquiring, he was told that they were killed by the LRA.

Both the prosecution and legal representatives of victims declined to cross-examine the witness