tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82685904383419666682024-01-02T00:31:02.612-08:00FJDI BLOGWelcome to the blog page of the Foundation for Justice and Development Initiatives (FJDI). This page is dedicated to sharing updates and news on transitional justice, peace building and development. Guest blogs are welcome. In case you would like to contribute, send an email to info@fjdi.org. We recommend that blogs do not exceed 300 words.FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-28716436409766404572021-06-25T08:15:00.005-07:002021-06-25T08:15:56.177-07:00The Long Road to Reparations in Uganda: Another Conflict Survivor & Victims’ Advocate from West Nile Dies<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On Wednesday June 23, the
sad news of the passing of Acidri Stephen shocked the Transitional Justice practitioners’
arena in Uganda. Acidri was famous in the Transitional Justice circle for his
courageous leadership and constant advocacy for reparations for victims of conflict
in Uganda. At the time of his passing he was the coordinator of Ombacci
Massacre Association in Arua for whom he profoundly spoke. People who knew
Acidri, may recall that he often emphasized the urgency of reparations for
victims. He hardly left a gathering or did an interview without saying, “… victims
are dying off without realizing reparations...” it may well, have been a
prophesy of what would later unfold on himself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Acidri’s passing adds to the
trend of deaths of conflict victims in Uganda. On March 4 2019, a prominent and
vocal victims representative known as </span><a href="https://www.ijmonitor.org/2019/04/we-are-tired-of-asking-for-the-same-thing-with-no-feedback-ugandas-ocampo-of-west-nile-passes-away/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hajji Sebbi Longa also passed on</span></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> after a short illness. Sebbi had earned the nickname ‘Ocampo
of West Nile’ due to his work with conflict survivors in Uganda, an undertaking
that he passionately carried out. The nickname was in reference to the former
prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Moreno Ocampo who coincidentally
had a scraggly beard just like Longa.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Both Longa
and Acidri will be remembered for their contribution in advancing the cause for
conflict-affected victims in Uganda. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In an </span><a href="https://www.justiceandreconciliation.org/media/newsroom/in-the-news/2015/34-years-later-more-questions-on-ombaci/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">article</span></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> published in 2015
Acidri was quoted saying, “We hope that finally something can be done to
address these issues.” About four years later in an article </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">published
by </span><a href="https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/38-years-later-ombaci-victims-yet-to-get-justice-1829352"><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Daily Monitor on May
30, 2019</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Acidri expressed his disappointment when he said, <span style="background: white;">“We have been struggling to get justice because it is
disheartening. We need the leaders to take responsibility and compensate those
who lost loved ones and property.” Hajji Sebbi Longa had earlier said </span></span><a href="https://www.ijmonitor.org/2019/04/we-are-tired-of-asking-for-the-same-thing-with-no-feedback-ugandas-ocampo-of-west-nile-passes-away/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">the same thing</span></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">, “<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We are tired of asking for the same thing with
no feedback.”<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
brief background about the Omabacci Massacre whose victims Acidri led:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background: white;">About </span></span><a href="https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/38-years-later-ombaci-victims-yet-to-get-justice-1829352"><span style="background: white; color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">100
people were allegedly killed on June 24, 1981</span></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">,
survivors say, in revenge for what Idi Amin’s Uganda Army had done in other
parts of northern Uganda after the coup against president Milton Obote in 1971.
Amin, many senior officers in his army and lower rank soldiers, hailed from
West Nile where Arua is located. At least 89 victims, who were buried in a mass
grave near St Joseph’s College Ombaci, were identified. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The continued deaths of
victims in Uganda further reiterates the urgency with which the government should
fast track reparations for all victims of conflicts. Continued delay will only
lead to piling of frustration and anger among victims, a situation which is a
threat to peace.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This article was written by:
</span><a href="https://twitter.com/DacanNobert?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor"><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Nobert Dacan</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> who
is a peacebuilding practitioner and social researcher in Uganda and Ogora Lino
Owor, the founder of Foundation for Justice and Development Initiatives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8268590438341966668/7982096729776978054"><i><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Foundation for Justice
and Development Initiatives (FJDI)</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> works with
children, youths, women and communities to promote justice, development and
economic recovery in northern Uganda. FJDI has been working on providing
redress for conflict affected persons and communities and promoting
Transitional Justice measures since 2015.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-79820967297769780542020-10-26T09:31:00.000-07:002020-10-26T09:31:26.407-07:00Community Members call for an Expeditious Process to pass the NTJP Policy into law <span style="font-family: times;"><i>By: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Dacan Nobert</a></i><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8268590438341966668/7982096729776978054" style="font-size: large;">Foundation for Justice and Development Initiatives (FJDI)</a><span style="font-size: medium;"> working together with Action Aid Uganda, Gulu team last week took part in a series of community outreach sessions across four districts of northern Uganda—Gulu, Omoro, Amuru and Nwoya with the view of creating awareness on the recently approved </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8268590438341966668/7982096729776978054" style="font-size: large;">Uganda National Transitional Justice Policy (NTJP)</a><span style="font-size: medium;"> to ensure that women and other vulnerable groups affected by the long term conflict in Northern Uganda are able to demand for the Transitional Justice (TJ) policy implementation in Uganda. “We are convinced that such awareness campaigns will contribute towards amplifying the victims’ voices towards the policy implementation, enhance human rights protection, peace and justice,” said Ocen a representative of Persons living With Disabilities (PWDs) in Gulu.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Following a history of conflicts, the Uganda government has made significant commitments towards addressing legacies of conflicts. These commitments and milestones are seen in the enactment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Act (2010), the establishment of the </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#" style="font-size: large;">International Crimes Division (ICD)</a><span style="font-size: medium;"> and the ongoing trials of former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commanders Thomas Kwoyelo at the ICD in Uganda and Dominic Ongwen at the ICC in The Hague, the establishment of a National Peace Building Platform at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), but most significantly the approval a National Transitional Justice policy by the cabinet in June 2019. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The policy provides an overarching framework for the implementation of various transitional justice processes: it is also an opportunity for Uganda to engage with key issues of impunity, accountability, amnesty, reparations, institutional reform, and national reconciliation. The policy in itself is not final, it calls for legislation by the parliament in order to be operational. Therefore, the current context provides an opportunity for community members to demand for the TJ policy implementation, advance their views to politicians vying for different elective positions in the forthcoming 2021 national elections. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">From 20th to 23rd October, FJDI in partnership with Action Aid Uganda conducted a series of outreaches in the sub-counties of Awach, Lalogi, Pabbo, and Anaka located in Gulu, Omoro, Amuru and Nwoya districts respectively. A combined total of about 500 people attended the outreaches. The outreaches gave an opportunity for community members to know, digest and understand the policy. Although the communities were appreciative of the government’s commitments, they called for an expeditious process to pass the TJ policy into law. The community who are overwhelmed by negative impacts of the war insisted that a law guiding TJ processes would contribute towards addressing issues such as post-war land conflicts in northern Uganda, issues of formerly abducted persons, psycho-social and medical needs of victims, provide a framework for reparations, resettlement and integration of children born of war among others which should be treated with utmost urgency in order to sustain the existing peace. Another important outcome was the call by community members who are largely Luo/ Acoli speakers to have the policy document translated into local languages for easier reading and disseminated to grassroots. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, with the </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#" style="font-size: large;">COVID-19 </a><span style="font-size: medium;">infections on the rise, the field team had to ensure strict adherence to </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#" style="font-size: large;">COVID-19</a><span style="font-size: medium;"> Standard Operating Procedures established by the authorities in order to ensure the safety of participants. SOPs were observed throughout the exercise and measures such as limiting the number of participants, use of approved face masks as a must by every participant, hand washing facilities, hand sanitizing and social distancing were applied.</span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">__________________</span><br /><i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8268590438341966668/7982096729776978054#">Foundation for Justice and Development Initiatives (FJDI)</a> works with children, youths, women and communities to promote justice, development and economic recovery in northern Uganda. FJDI has been working on providing redress for conflict affected persons and communities and promoting Transitional Justice measures since 2015</i></span>FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-32138230155297102552020-09-21T02:02:00.012-07:002020-09-21T02:07:09.668-07:00Enough of the Violence, more of the Peace<h1><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: times;">By </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dacan.nobertglen" style="font-family: times;" target="_blank"><i>Nobert Dacan</i></a></span></h1>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #454545; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">International
Day of Peace</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #404040;"> established in
1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, provides a globally shared date
for all humanity to commit to Peace, abandon all differences and to contribute
to building a culture of peace.</span> <span style="color: #454545; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">The Peace Day is observed around the world on 21
September yearly. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to
strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence
and cease-fire. This is a huge step by the Assembly as this period (if observed)
should be able to show the world the obvious significance of non-violence and more
than ever that we are not each other’s enemies given the COVID 19 experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">Peace means many
different things to different people</span>. In the past, peace meant a time
without wars, fighting, or the threat of violence—yet this ideal time for long
has been in vain! Today, peace is used to refer to a state of harmony, quiet,
or calm with no hostility, still, the world is yet to achieve this. Having experienced
(and still experiencing) numerous violence, it is time for all of us, to not
only think of a world we need but also to make an effort towards it, ordinary
citizens, politicians, technocrats, all of us alike!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">We want to achieve a
state where everyone is physically, economically, mentally and spiritually at
peace, where everyone truly knows themselves, can work to achieve their different
aspirations, free from violence and torment. Humanity deserves a world where the
family institution flourishes, where parents live to see their children grow up
to achieve their dreams, a world without violence and broken dreams, humanity deserves
a democratic world were politics is not a cause for bled shed, suffering and
turmoil, a just world were meritocracy overrules corruption and greed, a world
free from hate and racism, a world everyone can harmoniously survive in, black or
white.</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This day is for the world to come to terms with its
past, to look back and say enough of the violence and more of peace, enough of
the hate, more of the love, enough of corruption, greed and injustice, more of generosity,
fairness and justice. Humanity needs to give a chance for the principles upon
which the Peace Day was built to flourish.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">_________</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="http://fjdi.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Foundation for Justice and Development Initiatives (FJDI)</a> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: times;">works with children, youths, women and communities to promote justice, development
and economic recovery in northern Uganda. FJDI has been working on providing
redress for conflict affected persons and communities and promoting
transitional justice measures since 2015.</span></i></p><br /><p></p>FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-26634521353933517632020-02-20T04:49:00.001-08:002020-02-20T04:49:28.722-08:00FJDI Annual Report 2019 can be found using this link: <a href="https://fjdi.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b7c5687942c6c79a64ffed940&id=eae22cd89f&e=cb10623dce" target="_blank">https://fjdi.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b7c5687942c6c79a64ffed940&id=eae22cd89f&e=cb10623dce</a>FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-52324536725945117212019-12-13T00:18:00.000-08:002019-12-13T00:18:35.309-08:00Ignored and Forgotten: Challenges, Hopes and Expectations of Victims’ Groups in Northern Uganda<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">In 2019, FJDI with funding support from Robert Bosch Stiftung conducted an assessment of victims' groups in northern Uganda. The URL below directs you to a <a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b7c5687942c6c79a64ffed940/files/4fb248e6-2656-4500-8f19-fc4b349eef7f/Ignored_and_Forgotten_FJDI_Policy_Brief_2019_001.pdf" target="_blank">policy brief</a> derived from this assessment. We hope this brief will provide information to stakeholders and prompt urgent positive actions towards the general situation of victims of conflicts in Uganda.</span><br />
<a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b7c5687942c6c79a64ffed940/files/4fb248e6-2656-4500-8f19-fc4b349eef7f/Ignored_and_Forgotten_FJDI_Policy_Brief_2019_001.pdf" target="_blank">FJDI Policy Brief No. 2019-001</a>FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-70105007149808959432019-10-14T23:04:00.002-07:002020-09-21T09:47:31.587-07:00Thomas Kwoyelo Trial Continues Amidst Challenges of a Public trial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlO4oDVrKpyvz-f9CRHBpyXjQFHKNiV2wlsNs0aECP8N6IfiiBEktBbGgMQFtwC0hTyVFI0dZQhEBQrBgi-xfKHGJ0oQ18a2C_8742tlly_1X3o0fNiYKcesWa_3Cn7LeID-7BewZjXA/s1600/50556250_947827852080257_7840471788214550528_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlO4oDVrKpyvz-f9CRHBpyXjQFHKNiV2wlsNs0aECP8N6IfiiBEktBbGgMQFtwC0hTyVFI0dZQhEBQrBgi-xfKHGJ0oQ18a2C_8742tlly_1X3o0fNiYKcesWa_3Cn7LeID-7BewZjXA/s1600/50556250_947827852080257_7840471788214550528_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlO4oDVrKpyvz-f9CRHBpyXjQFHKNiV2wlsNs0aECP8N6IfiiBEktBbGgMQFtwC0hTyVFI0dZQhEBQrBgi-xfKHGJ0oQ18a2C_8742tlly_1X3o0fNiYKcesWa_3Cn7LeID-7BewZjXA/s1600/50556250_947827852080257_7840471788214550528_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlO4oDVrKpyvz-f9CRHBpyXjQFHKNiV2wlsNs0aECP8N6IfiiBEktBbGgMQFtwC0hTyVFI0dZQhEBQrBgi-xfKHGJ0oQ18a2C_8742tlly_1X3o0fNiYKcesWa_3Cn7LeID-7BewZjXA/w223-h297/50556250_947827852080257_7840471788214550528_n.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dacan.nobertglen/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nobert Dacan</a></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The
trial of former LRA commander Thomas Kwoyelo resumed Monday 30<sup>th</sup>
September, 2019, after a break of more than two months and on 10<sup>th</sup>
October it was postponed indefinitely due to issues of disclosure. Kwoyelo has
been in detention since 2008 and is facing 93 counts of war crimes and crimes
against humanity before the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High
Court of Uganda for his alleged role in the conflict spanning more than two
decades in Northern Uganda. Ten prosecution witnesses have so far testified in
the trial and since the trial resumed, three prosecution witnesses have
testified. The 7<sup>th</sup> and 8<sup>th</sup> witnesses appeared between the
30<sup>th</sup> of September and 7<sup>th</sup> of October, and two additional
witnesses testified from the afternoon of the 7<sup>th</sup> to the 10<sup>th </sup>of
October. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">However,
the prosecution relied on </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Article 28 and 126 of the
constitution of Uganda and rule 36 of the ICD rules of procedures</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> to
apply for witness protective measures. These included concealing the identities
of the witnesses by using camouflage, pseudo codes and closing court sessions
to the public. The trial judges granted these protective measures because the
prosecution team argued that the witnesses’ wellbeing could be at risk if not
fully anonymised. The closing of the court sessions has prevented the public
from following proceedings since the trial resumed, resulting in complaints
from those wishing to attend the hearings. On Monday 7<sup>th</sup> October
several people who had come to attend proceedings expressed disappointment when
they were told to walk out of the court room because the day’s session would be
held in-camera. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">The prosecution has framed these
protective measures as a desperate attempt to protect the witnesses while ensuring
that the court obtains information and the trial goes on. They said on October
1, that this attempt is in the interest of the accused as well. In their
ruling, the trial panel said under Art 28 (2) and ICD rule 36, court had to
balance between the safety of the witness and a public trial, “…for that
reason, the use of pseudonym, camouflage, exclusion of the public from certain
parts of his testimony is granted”, said one of the trial judges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It is, however, obvious that
the public is not contented with this. The 10-15 members of the public who sat
in a nearby room waiting for a full day, and who seemed to have travelled long
distances to attend could be heard murmuring in dissatisfaction on October 7<sup>th</sup>,
when they were asked to walk out of the courtroom because the prosecution
wanted to tackle a sensitive matter that needed protection. Details of all testimonies
delivered in-camera have not been availed to the public.<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">On the 7<sup>th</sup> of
October, a woman aged around 50 years told the FJDI that it was not realistic
to hold proceedings in-camera. “If you are telling the truth, why should you
hide from the public?”, she questioned. To her, “it shows that the witness is
not telling the truth.” Earlier on a defense counsel had also raised a similar
concern during the proceedings of October 1, stating that</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">
the exclusion of the public offended the essence of Art 28 of Uganda’s
constitution though the prosecution has been relying on it to seek protective
measures. The defense lawyer said that, excluding the public breaches this
Article and moreover, if other measures like camouflage and use of codes were
in place, there was no need to exclude the public from the courtroom. The
defense lawyer emphasized that holding the trial in-camera would affect the
whole outcome of the trial because, “the public shall not trust it…the public
would say…they closed themselves, conducted the trial and made their ruling.”
He went as far as referring to the ICC’s trial of Dominic Ongwen, “People in
Gulu have been following a trial in The Hague yet they cannot follow this trial
which is being conducted in Gulu,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">On 10<sup>th</sup> October, the
trial was adjourned indefinitely due to issues of disclosure. This is not the
first time proceedings is being interrupted because of the same thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The ICD of Uganda’s High
Court being a ‘young’ institution established in 2008 to try international
crimes has greatly suffered from difficulties of bridging the gap between the
court and the public. It seems that the public who are interested in following
this international trial are disconnected and unable to follow despite the
court being brought closer to the case location.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">______________</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i style="background-color: #fb5e53; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="background: white;">Foundation for Justice and Development (FJDI) works with children, youth, women and communities to promote justice, development and economic recovery in northern Uganda. FJDI has been working on providing redress for conflict affected persons and communities and promoting transitional justice measures since 2015.</span></i></span></div>
FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-62913510090507302092019-10-03T00:42:00.001-07:002019-10-03T00:42:27.151-07:00FJDI Monthly Pictorial- September, 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyRFFPKj7cokn8l0cNHIOhKgPzviBzc1M0ib6_muM5bnLGhdE8aJd1KIxHu_avVQFwVQruBAqTHnCwl9wwYa6wtLHgjRa2NIOpfSBNp23PmgqPTZGPYtSggXxK8vLLt0jb5fQEjXC3mQ/s1600/Pictorial_Sept_001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="792" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyRFFPKj7cokn8l0cNHIOhKgPzviBzc1M0ib6_muM5bnLGhdE8aJd1KIxHu_avVQFwVQruBAqTHnCwl9wwYa6wtLHgjRa2NIOpfSBNp23PmgqPTZGPYtSggXxK8vLLt0jb5fQEjXC3mQ/s320/Pictorial_Sept_001.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-7362799017071693692019-10-02T01:52:00.001-07:002020-09-21T09:50:12.456-07:00Kwoyelo Trial Continues as prosecution calls 7th and 8th witness <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZ9-H-74JTzxwR2z0dCvyq__5qUxYOOcZD2eBV4GCEucTF10oegD5kkDx6bbV_m7JmCKxNVTKmAlrdpM9NvSfiUS5is6FYhyphenhyphenDKBqR6q6lratm7dItI6TXBmv3dm9XQvFo3aZYCqBgxUs/s1600/_DSC0212.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZ9-H-74JTzxwR2z0dCvyq__5qUxYOOcZD2eBV4GCEucTF10oegD5kkDx6bbV_m7JmCKxNVTKmAlrdpM9NvSfiUS5is6FYhyphenhyphenDKBqR6q6lratm7dItI6TXBmv3dm9XQvFo3aZYCqBgxUs/s320/_DSC0212.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kwoyelo in the dock as his trial goes on in Gulu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444; font-weight: normal;">By <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dacan.nobertglen/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nobert Dacan</a></i></span></span></h2><h2 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444;">Kwoyelo
has been in detention since the Ugandan army captured him in 2008. He is
facing 93 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity before the
International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court of Uganda as a result of
his role as a LRA commander during the war in northern Uganda. His trial has
however progressed at a slow pace.</span></span></b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">The
trial</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> resumed on
Monday, the 30<sup>th</sup> of September 2019, after a break of more than
two months with the testimony of t</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">he 7<sup>th</sup> prosecution
witness, referred to as C4.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">C4
testified about his experiences and interactions with the accused, including
details on how the witness was abducted by Kwoyelo’s men during an attack on
Abera village in Pabbo subcounty. During examination C4 explained that he knew
Kwoyelo very well since their childhood, but that C4 had not seen him since C4
was abducted from Abera in 1994. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The witness explained how the village was attacked by
armed men led by Kwoyelo, whom he later learnt were LRA rebels, and was
abducted along with approximately 50 others. The abductees were forced to carry
the goats that were looted as they moved throughout the night across a stream
called Aceri. At least 4 people unable to carry the goats were punished and
left to die on the road, though C4 later found out that these people were found
and rescued by the community who tracked their path the following morning. Only
one later died from the hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The witness recounted that
after crossing the stream, Kwoyelo addressed the abductees and told them that
they would be divided into two groups; one that would be released and another
that would remain. C4 was in the group that was released and was directed by
Kwoyelo to follow a different path back as the LRA soldiers had planted
landmines on the one they came from. C4 also explained that most of the
remaining abductees never returned home since, and that he is convinced that
they have passed away by now. After returning and recovering from his injuries,
C4 moved to Gulu town where he has lived since.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">The defense counsel was critical of the witness’
account, stating that C4 had gone beyond the scope of his testimony.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Proceedings were adjourned to the following day, Tuesday the
1<sup>st</sup> of October 2019 where C4 completed his testimony with a
cross-examination by the defense team. In the afternoon, the prosecution called
another witness – PW8, referred to as C7. C7 entered the courtroom in
camouflage wearing loose, black clothing and headscarf, and dark sunglasses.
Prosecution attorney, William Byansi commenced by applying for protective measures
for the witness and requested that the session should exclude the public and be
held in camera due to sensitivity of the witness’ testimony. Byansi went on to
assert that the prosecution team had done a risk assessment and that the
findings indicated danger to the life of the witness if his identity is not
sufficiently protected. He further stated that the witness was a direct victim
of the accused person and lives in the same community as sympathizers of the
accused. The prosecution finally requested that if a fully closed session was
impossible, at least the particularly sensitive parts of C7’s testimony should
be held in-camera.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Defense counsel Alaka did not object to the use of camouflage
and pseudonym but opposed closing the session for the public. He claimed that
closing the session would go against Kwoyelo’s rights as an accused, and that
the prosecutions referral to a risk assessment unknown to the court, and to the
witness as “a direct victim” was prejudicial. Furthermore, he argued, closing the
session would decrease the publics’ trust in the trial and the ICD.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The trial panel based their ruling on Art. 28 (2) and ICD
rule 36, and stated that the court had to balance between the safety of the
witness and a public trial: “for that reason, the use of pseudonym, camouflage,
exclusion of the public from certain parts of his testimony is granted.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shortly after the prosecution had started leading C7 through
his testimony about his abduction from Abera village in Pabbo, they requested
the public to be excluded due to a sensitive part in the testimony. The
remainder of the session until 5pm was held in-camera, and the session on the
following morning of the 2<sup>nd</sup> of October continued as a closed
session</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i style="background-color: #fb5e53; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white;">Foundation for Justice and Development (FJDI) works with children, youth, women and communities to promote justice, development and economic recovery in northern Uganda. FJDI has been working on providing redress for conflict affected persons and communities and promoting transitional justice measures since 2015</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i style="background-color: #fb5e53; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></i></span>FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-49891067731964923892019-09-25T00:55:00.001-07:002019-09-25T00:56:42.670-07:00Victims Groups and their challenges in Northern Uganda<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONRfpEzCpX1gG51HMcj3r9Hyua0FZ0H-bxigdKOXT1JuHv1ifTG3fm2fwNSe02BQW1_-MrKO_30SqL7ipXqeI3MrvSN_2omb78QsNnpXDUHjd62dMWBIsjveodmj-u7xHkV2J4nXN2js/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONRfpEzCpX1gG51HMcj3r9Hyua0FZ0H-bxigdKOXT1JuHv1ifTG3fm2fwNSe02BQW1_-MrKO_30SqL7ipXqeI3MrvSN_2omb78QsNnpXDUHjd62dMWBIsjveodmj-u7xHkV2J4nXN2js/s320/DSC_0125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Parabongo Victims group </i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
<br />Although, Northern Uganda is on the path to recovery after
decades of conflict that led to serious destruction, victims have often and
consistently expressed several challenges they face on a daily basis that
to-date are yet to be addressed. An ongoing survey we are conducting reveals many
but ofcourse not all of such challenges. </h3>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">In
2019, Foundation for Justice and Development Initiatives (FJDI) initiated a
mapping exercise and analysis of the victims’ advocacy groups currently active
in Northern Uganda in order to assess their most critical challenges and needs.
Even though a decade has passed since the end of the violent conflict in
Northern Uganda, the needs of victims and survivors remain largely unaddressed.
While some may hope that the ongoing trials at Uganda’s International Crimes
Division (ICD) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) will be an answer to
their calls, most victims cannot expect such an outcome. If they are to have
their needs met, the help will need to be obtained elsewhere.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A preliminary analysis
of the needs and challenges of victims’ groups in Northern Uganda shows that
while many of the groups are successful in coming together as victims and
survivors and thus supporting each other, their advocacy efforts and calls for
help are often met with unfulfilled promises or even silence from stakeholders.
The conflict deprived victims of not only family members, personal health and
more, but also of many valuable years of their lives and thus opportunities for
undertaking education, building careers as well as prosperous homes and
families.The assistance that most groups point to as essential for them as
victims are therefore most often reparations, particularly in the form of
community facilities such as health clinics, educational institutions and
memorial initiatives, but also individual and financial help such as money,
farming equipment and animals are called for. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHXNJtL4aIvluFQmTy8wspNb2em8ho82_h-tJMBDwd2KKb55DhtQi49fEL4CKPtnhxqYWhYUjc-pgE7QChRISnv12ZTYhrIS5Se75bEu-66u1C6ZBqFami8iPsEuDij__rp5O4w2cI0A/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHXNJtL4aIvluFQmTy8wspNb2em8ho82_h-tJMBDwd2KKb55DhtQi49fEL4CKPtnhxqYWhYUjc-pgE7QChRISnv12ZTYhrIS5Se75bEu-66u1C6ZBqFami8iPsEuDij__rp5O4w2cI0A/s320/DSC_0092.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Facing the challenges of empty promises and silence from
those with the power to assist victims and survivors in fulfilling their needs,
puts considerable demands to the groups’ advocacy skills for them to speak up
and be heard. Therefore, engaging in advocacy training can be a way forward for
the empowerment and capability of the victims to obtain their wants and needs.
Furthermore, coming together as victims’ groups across Northern Uganda in joint
advocacy can be a way for the groups to not only speak with a louder voice, but
also to share support, knowledge and experiences. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The National </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Transitional</span> Justice Policy has however been passed by the cabinet and could help
address these challenges if put in place. It is an overreaching framework of
the Government of Uganda designed to address justice,
accountability and reconciliation needs of post-conflict Uganda. It
proposes a combination of traditional and
formal justice mechanisms of justice, the approval of the policy by
cabinet is a huge step towards redress for victims, however, it could
potentially last several more years before implementation considering the fact
that it stayed in a draft form for about ten years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white;">Foundation for Justice and Development
(FJDI) works with children, youth, women and communities to promote justice,
development and economic recovery in northern Uganda. FJDI has been
working on providing redress for conflict affected persons and communities and promoting
transitional justice measures since 2015.</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-10536681438048849132019-08-09T00:41:00.002-07:002019-08-09T00:41:24.030-07:00FJDI Monthly Pictorial - July 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4u7L_PN0PEVc5frd27yeH39ayLTeGeu8WZX5KvH7lKs8g0qnyTQxZe_jz7W_sSRadxLJS3OUBEOb43zOuyj3q_ocXRRJr1iZwCpRjsEE5Ubtr8_33bZTAgJ-b_WlMlCD5qKt_WwmEf4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="532" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4u7L_PN0PEVc5frd27yeH39ayLTeGeu8WZX5KvH7lKs8g0qnyTQxZe_jz7W_sSRadxLJS3OUBEOb43zOuyj3q_ocXRRJr1iZwCpRjsEE5Ubtr8_33bZTAgJ-b_WlMlCD5qKt_WwmEf4/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-4066378082671696602019-07-03T03:20:00.001-07:002019-07-03T03:20:39.150-07:00FJDI Monthly Pictorial - June, 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1sZnauJYRBzTysql4k8JlLz1EdKl8v0kfPVX9k9nNq0FOl9Ezz5cM59CRGBeCK7iZFHXlBDhbmdUfejJh275s3Eo-3w0y7WbFgtDLYjTdjYa3e9V8wxBpIkY9aqU3LAajtehIHKejfk/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="737" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1sZnauJYRBzTysql4k8JlLz1EdKl8v0kfPVX9k9nNq0FOl9Ezz5cM59CRGBeCK7iZFHXlBDhbmdUfejJh275s3Eo-3w0y7WbFgtDLYjTdjYa3e9V8wxBpIkY9aqU3LAajtehIHKejfk/s320/1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIJJiM7Qv2rPb0oOhtO-fjhTX3eeIpZz_x6tYF4uOz-Mg1XKZI0yBBBTo2BtikQe1_e7YtGlmxjbqgxMoHMN4vm2OV8q2OqXIfZ36psYNvw5ENwHJ_Bkyt21mUGaEm1TI3LiRaiSdybE/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="739" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIJJiM7Qv2rPb0oOhtO-fjhTX3eeIpZz_x6tYF4uOz-Mg1XKZI0yBBBTo2BtikQe1_e7YtGlmxjbqgxMoHMN4vm2OV8q2OqXIfZ36psYNvw5ENwHJ_Bkyt21mUGaEm1TI3LiRaiSdybE/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1686046976"></span><span id="goog_1686046977"></span><br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-3282980991049317692019-06-17T03:02:00.000-07:002019-10-03T00:43:35.312-07:00MEMORIALIZATION - A PILLAR OF UNITY AND HOPE TO VICTIMS OF THE LRA INCURSION IN OBALANGA <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 285.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEy99Exsbf1R8y7Zv1KUyL2TTuumQRIH8F49JeAAVGsoWHxsc2Opg-wenRgsxtIk78DmYf8kh7bqasox81bXQnFW7IfcEP2DoY0T-yS3ERhEnHw0_Wb2OtvbnbmeLEQy_1JhRxm9vuUQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="477" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEy99Exsbf1R8y7Zv1KUyL2TTuumQRIH8F49JeAAVGsoWHxsc2Opg-wenRgsxtIk78DmYf8kh7bqasox81bXQnFW7IfcEP2DoY0T-yS3ERhEnHw0_Wb2OtvbnbmeLEQy_1JhRxm9vuUQ/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On 15 June 2003, the once
peaceful community of Obalanga in the newly created district of Kapelebyong in
the greater Northern Uganda came under the attack of rebels of the Lord’s Resistance
Army (LRA).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This began months long of
rebel activity in the area of Obalanga and the environs of Teso in which the
people were held under siege as the rebels, killed, looted and abducted people
at will. Within a short period of time, hundreds of people were killed, and
relatives and community members had little choice but to bury their loved ones
numbering up to 365 in a mass grave. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 285.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each year, on 15 June the
anniversary of the first attack, residents of Teso converge at Obalanga
Sub-County at the site of the mass grave to commemorate the day in the form of
prayers. FJDI over the past years has not only supported the community in
aspects of advocacy and documentation of their war narratives, but has also
joined them in the memorialization of the day. This year’s event was attended
by community elders, relatives of victims, survivors, local government
officials, representatives of NGOs and CSOs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The ceremony included a
prayer service animated by the Church of Uganda, speeches by the local
organising committee, testimonies from the survivors and also remarks from
representatives of the local government and supporting NGOs. The general
message was one of forgiveness, unity and hope. Furthermore, students from
schools within Kapelebyong district performed songs and poems on themes that
centred on keeping alive the memories of the sad events, love, hope and a
better future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 285.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 285.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Speaking to Achila Simon a
member of the local organising committee, he said that the commemoration of
this day was very important in that it does not only allow them to remember and
pray for their loved ones but also helps foster unity within the community. He
furthered that the sermons and speeches delivered also help to pacify and give
hope to the survivors and relatives of the departed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 285.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 285.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amoding Betty a survivor and
widow whose husband lost his life in the hands of the LRA lamented on the pain,
sorrow and trauma she has been suffering over the years. She indicated the
memorial service not only enables her to pray for her husband but also enables her
to recognise that she is not alone in her sorrow, which gives her strength and
hope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 285.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 285.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The FJDI team also took
the opportunity to interact with survivors to seek their opinion on holding a
unilateral memorial service throughout the greater northern Uganda as opposed
to different communities holding it at different places at different times.
FJDI continues to be committed in its objectives of advocating for appropriate
policies on democracy, governance, justice and development, the promotion of
social economic empowerment for vulnerable individuals, groups and communities and
to conduct research on relevant justice and development issues crucial to
national debates and policies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-36611536549027696822019-06-10T02:46:00.000-07:002019-06-10T02:46:55.240-07:00Witness Gives Account of Pajule Attacks and Brief Ongwen Interactions<b id="docs-internal-guid-13d15029-7fff-13dc-42b1-e415a36cb88c" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">On June 6, 2019, a former LRA captive came before the ICC and gave a chilling account of his experience being abducted, his time in the IDP camps, and a brief account of his time with the LRA, including interactions with Dominic Ongwen. The hearing was interrupted due to technical difficulties and health concerns of the witness forcing the trial panel to postpone proceedings to the following day. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Ongwen is facing 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed between 2002-2005 in the camps of Odek, Pajule, Abok and Lukodi in Northern Uganda. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The witness was referred to as “Mr. Witness,” instead of his original name-one of the witness protection measures being used by the court. The former captive described how his primary school education was interrupted by the death of his father. Then, in 2002 when conflict in Acholiland was heightening, the government mandated that his community move to IDP camps in fear of the LRA. From the start, there was clear fear and threat experienced by Mr. Witness. The government even threatened at-risk people, saying they’d be considered rebels themselves if they didn’t move into the IDP camps within two to three weeks after initial warning. Along with fear of government and rebels, Mr. Witness also had to leave his crops at home, which were gone once he returned from captivity.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Mr. Witness described a difficult life in the IDP camp. The government did not provide medical facilities/services, and although they were eventually provided by NGO’s, the support was not sufficient; some people were helped, but health issues persisted nonetheless. Additionally, IDP residents were not allowed to roam about at night, with their curfew beginning at 8:00 PM, and lasting until around 7:00-8:00 AM. Mr. Witness made it clear that life in the IDP camp was of low quality, because if one was hungry or sick, there was usually nothing that could be done.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Mr. Witness said that, although UPDF and LDU soldiers were difficult to distinguish from each other because they were working to protect the people, it was not difficult to decipher who the LRA was once he saw them. The attack on the Pajule camp was warned about in 2003, on the evening of October 9</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 6.6pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> (Ugandan Independence Day). In the evening, Mr. Witness remembered the leaders of the camp warning residents to be vigilant that night, and to not drink recklessly, due to unclear security reasons. Mr. Witness was sleeping when, at dawn of October 10</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 6.6pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">, 2003, his door was kicked in by LRA rebels. He, along with many others, were abducted and forced to carry firearms for the rebels en route to their next location. All the while, many innocent IDP residents were caught in crossfire, and were injured and killed. Mr. Witness’ wife and child were also abducted, and he later found out that his child had to get his right arm amputated due to a bomb incident during the war.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The LRA led Mr. Witness and other victims through the bush throughout the day, and they were being followed by a helicopter. Mr. Witness and the other victims were eventually sat down by Vincent Otti, who was well known and feared by many people in Acholiland. Otti made sure to tell the abductees that it was not their intention to kill civilians.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The witness also shared that Ongwen, referred to as “Odomi” during the trial, was the head of a group that requested Mr. Witness’s services for four to five days. This is when Mr. Witness interacted with Ongwen. Mr. Witness took note that Odomi seemed to have an injury in one of his legs or thighs. Mr. Witness also shared that he was not allowed to speak to Odomi unless Odomi requested to speak with him. Although Odomi was limping during this time, Mr. Witness says he did not use a cane or anything else to assist his walking.</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ICC has been livestreaming proceedings at </span><a href="http://player.cdn.tv1.eu/statics/66005/icc.html?loc=CR3" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://player.cdn.tv1.eu/statics/66005/icc.html?loc=CR3</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> where people can follow live proceedings. </span>FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-2405138241994734162019-05-22T23:32:00.001-07:002020-09-21T09:52:00.250-07:00Commissioner Apologizes to Lukodi Massacre Survivors; Promises to Talk to the President<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">By <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dacan.nobertglen/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Nobert Dacan</i></a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On May 19, the Lukodi
Community in Gulu District carried out the 15<sup>th</sup> annual Commemoration
of the Lukodi Massacre in 2004. It was attended by more than 1000 people from
around the world. During the commemoration, visitors toured the memorial
Monument and the Community Memory Center constructed in 2018 by Foundation for
Justice and Development Initiatives (FJDI) with support from Robert Bosch
Stiftung. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The major talk of the
event was forgiveness. The preacher- Rev Peter Ojok argued that, “the
sufferings Lukodi went through should shape them in the direction of God,” in
his words, “There is a reason for everything that happens. Those who don’t
forgive others live in poor health. Forgiveness is the key to personal
development,” he said. “You should forgive all those who hurt you if you are to
move forward as a community,” he added while referring to the perpetrators of
the massacre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Taking
you back to the fateful incident; On May 19, 2004, a group of the Lord’s
Resistance Army rebels descended on the Lukodi displaced people's camp after
overpowering a nearby military unit and murdered more than sixty people what
has since been called the Lukodi Massacre. Dominic Ongwen is being tried for
this particularly incident and three other attacks in Odek, Pajule and Abok IDP
camps between 2002 and 2004. He has pleaded not guilty to all.</span><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white; color: #686868; font-size: 19pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In
Lukodi the rebels also destroyed property, abducted scores of the IDPs, while
others managed to escape with bullet wounds. However, fifteen years after the
attack, the victims complain that government has done nothing to help them
recover from the traumatic incident.</span><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white; color: #686868; font-size: 19pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The representative of
victims- Wilfred Lalobo while addressing the congregation said, “We are working
hard to improve our livelihoods but still need support from the government
because we have not received any support since the incident took place.” He
highlighted several challenges the victims are facing and strongly insisted
that they need government support. He further mentioned that the victims need
help in developing and relocating the memory center to a separate place,
establishing a community counseling center to help meet their (victims) psycho-social
needs; and in advocating for reparations. In his words he said, “as victims, we
want to relocate this community center somewhere else and make it bigger and
more informative…we also need a counseling center constructed in the village to
help in providing psycho-social support because the level of trauma is still
high in this area,” He said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">While responding to
these cries, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Gulu district who
represented the president of Uganda in the event started by apologizing to the
community on behalf of the government. His apology was received by notable
hand claps signaling approval by the community. “There has been too much
talking, but I want to start by apologizing on behalf of the government for
your suffering,” he made this remark before emphasizing forgiveness. He also
said, “Prayers is for those alive and for forging the future of the next
generation. Avoid conflicting memory and retraumatization. Stop lamenting and
having self pity but instead utilize existing resources properly,” he said. The
RDC promised to talk to the president saying, “I will talk to the president and
give you feedback in the next annual prayer,” he said<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In attendance also
included the leader of opposition in Uganda’s parliament who doubles as the Gulu
district female parliamentarian- Hon. Betty Aol Ochan; and the long time Aswa
county parliamentarian Hon. Reagan Okumu. Both senators asked the community to
forgive their tormentors and focus on economic development. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hon. Reagan remarked
that, “peace is not only the silence of the gun; you should utilize the
existing peace for economic development. It is important to focus towards
education and poverty eradication, Let us focus on uplifting the poor of the
poorest,” He went on saying, “at this point you should focus on lobbying for war
reparations from government.” </span>FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-21724107034072903882019-03-14T07:02:00.001-07:002019-03-14T07:02:25.582-07:00Prosecution makes their opening statement; calls first witness in the trial of Kwoyelo<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">On Tuesday March 12, the prosecution team in the trial of former LRA colonel Thomas Kwoyelo made their opening statement and called their first witness at the International Crimes Division of Uganda’s High Court [ICD] sitting in Gulu. The same day court swore in four court assessors one of whom will be an alternate because the rules allow only three court assessors at a time. The duty of court assessors is to advice court and to give their opinions on matters arising. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">In their opening statement, the prosecution indicated that the main interest of the prosecution is for the victims to get fair justice and that the accused and his group will be remembered for many brutal killings some of which were carried out using machetes, axes, beating, mutilation etc. The prosecution also alleged that the group [LRA] forced people into IDP camps where their security was not good and lived vulnerably.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Kwoyelo is facing 93 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed while in the LRA. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">“The prosecution has about 130 witnesses who will be lined, 360 exhibits, pictures, medical notes, videos, newspaper extracts and other evidences to prove the charged crimes…we shall bring evidence to prove that the accused had intentions by way of common plan beyond reasonable doubt ” prosecution lawyer Florence Akello said.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">The defense on the other hand said they would make their opening statements later but had some brief statements to make, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">“Before you is a victim who was not protected; was abducted on his way to school while in Primary Three, indoctrinated, and the government failed to protect him. A kid not liable for crimes alleged,” said Alaka one of the defense lawyers. “We shall demonstrate to this court that the accused did not hold a command position … the prosecution wants to put all the crimes of the LRA on his small shoulders,” he added.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">After these submissions, the prosecution called their first witness- an expert witness to support their opening statement. The witness labeled PW1said he is a lawyer and researcher by profession and a senior lecturer at the Institute of International Criminal Justice at Nkumba University in Uganda; with training in Peace and Conflict studies. He also said he served in the Ugandan military force for 24 years before voluntarily retiring in 1999. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">His report was admitted into evidence as PE1 (a) and a summary of the same as PE1 (b) in accordance with the ICD rules of procedure. He went on with his testimony until the third day of proceedings.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Among other things, witness PW1 told the court that his report made four major findings all relating to Human Rights and Humanitarian violations that took place; i.e. there were widespread atrocities all over northern Uganda, he stated that although the conflict ended 10 years ago, its scar still remain to date. “Impacts of war do not end with the war but lives much longer,” he said.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">The others findings according to PW1 were that the conflict was well known and characterized extreme brutality on civilians such as mutilation, killings and abductions; the situation presented a large freedom deficit and absence of freedom and that the former residents of IDP camps still continue to experience difficult times such as lack of essential basic needs; there is a dichotomy between traditional and formal justice system within Acholi which he said surfaced in the Juba peace talks which caused a ‘egg and chicken’ debate about what comes first. He summarized his finding on this particular matter by stating that the Acholi traditional system and the formal justice system should not be treated as competitive because both present solutions. He was cross-examined by the defense lawyers on his report and later re-examined in chief</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">During proceedings the same day, representative of victims Henry Kilama made an oral application to the court in which they requested court to allow him raise some important matters of interest to the victims. The counsel noted that since witness PW1 was testifying on very crucial matters the victims counsel had some issues for him to clarify as regards the context and history of the conflict in northern Uganda; the aim of the LRA rebels and why they targeted civilians. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">“Although aware that it is not the role of victims to establish innocence or guilt of the accused, we want the views of the victims to guide court because it is the backbone of this trial and the duty of victims to assist court establish the truth in regard to the conflict, impacts and not just killings and abductions…,” he said. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Henry Kilama also told court that he had a text indicating the participation of victims at the ICC and that those best practices should be borrowed and applied locally.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">The trial panel discussed with all sides and ruled that, “… it became apparent that the application be made formally because it will enable parties to respond. The application is considered when presented formally,” said one of the trial judges</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">The next prosecution witness was a protected witness who testified in camera as one of the ways of witness protection</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-68935630489165968502019-01-22T00:24:00.000-08:002019-01-22T00:24:02.687-08:00Ten years later, bail or no bail for Thomas Kwoyelo<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The bail application
hearing of former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) Commander Thomas Kwoyelo was on
January 18 pushed again to February 4, the same day the prosecution will make
their opening statement. Kwoyelo who is facing 93 counts of war crimes and
crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the LRA conflict in Northern
Uganda applied for bail in October last year after 10 years in prison but the
International Crimes Division (ICD) of Uganda’s High court has not yet given it
a hearing. Since his arrest from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by the
UPDF in 2008, Kwoyelo has been in detention. Kwoyelo’s trial has dragged on for
years, unlike his counterpart Dominic Ongwen who is being tried at the ICC, an
aspect that has raised questions on the justice process in Uganda. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The first and second
postponement of Kwoyelo’s bail was on November 6 and October 15, last year
respectively. The postponements were for two reasons. One because the defense had
not organized their sureties and two because there was a request by victims’
representatives for more time to be able to consult their clients. The same
reasons caused the January 18 adjournment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Regardless of a
statement made by one of the presiding judges Michael Elubu in September last
year on an expeditious trial, “based on the facts on ground, it may take up to
about two to three years for the case to complete,” The constant adjournments
in this case also means that the victims of the alleged atrocities have to wait
for justice. For Kwoyelo, it means waiting for many more years to determine his
fate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Victim participation, a
concept that is new in Uganda’s Jurisprudence is facing a big challenge in
Kwoyelo’s trial. In fact it has been at the center of the constant
adjournments. As justice is sought in it is worth noting that a<span style="background: white;">lthough perpetrators are of primary
importance in any criminal justice process, </span>it’s very important that
victims are held close in the on-going trial<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> because
their involvement is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">driving force </i>to
the debates that take place in court. Primary in any court proceeding, victims
serve as witnesses to provide court with evidence needed for judges to make
their judgment thus supporting court in administering justice for the crimes
committed against them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The new date for the
bail application hearing is 4<sup>th </sup>February, the same day the
prosecution is expected to make their opening statement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Foundation for Justice and Development (FJDI)
works with children, youth, women and communities to promote justice,
development and economic recovery in northern Uganda. FJDI has been
working on providing redress for conflict affected persons and communities and
promoting transitional justice measures since 2015.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-31933877578922471712018-11-19T05:34:00.000-08:002018-11-19T05:34:58.298-08:00Expert witness testifies about spirituality in the LRA movement<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prof. Kristof
Titeca a lecturer and researcher based at the Institute of Development Policy
(University of Antwerp) testified as an expert witness at the ICC in the case
of Dominic Ongwen on November 19. He testified about spirituality and how it is
being used in the LRA. The witness has done research in governance and conflict
in spaces where the state is only weakly present, particularly in Central and
Eastern Africa. He has researched about conflict and rebel movements in the DRC
and Uganda, notably the LRA and ADF in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as
well as conflict dynamics in Western Uganda and he has closely collaborated
with Gulu University and Uganda Christian University. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prof.
Kristof Titeca’s expert report was admitted into evidence in line with ICC rule
68 (3) regulating the admission of a prior written report and related
evidences. He told court that he did a research titled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Growing in the Cosmological Space’ </i>on request of Ongwen’s defense
team<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">- </i>in which he interviewed about
500 respondents including 120 LRA ex-combatants on how spirituality is being
experienced by individual LRA combatants and the meaning they give to it as
well as the impact of spirits on combatants. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
witness told court that the LRA has several different aspects including spirituality
and religion. He said spirituality is a manifestation of cosmology in Acholi
land in general. He defined cosmology as the study of the origin and the future
of the Universe. He further explained that the LRA uses this cosmological space
to control combatants through believes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It doesn’t matter the belief but the impact of the belief on
individuals…some had extreme belief in the power of spirits and Joseph Kony,”</span></i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> the witness said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prof.
Titeca added that this spiritual space serves a range of strategic functions
for the LRA as an organization, but also is a profound lived experience for the
LRA fighters themselves. He further mentioned that in the LRA, Kony is the
messenger who talks to the spirits and then gives orders.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“So if combatants say spirits have said…it actually means Kony has
said,” </i>he explained. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">He
also said some of the ex-combatants he spoke to had supernatural experiences
such as dreams which had tendencies of becoming true, speaking to animals and
birds et cetera and some of them continued believing even after leaving the LRA
movement.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While responding
to Beth Lyons- one of the defense Lawyers who cross examined him in-chief,
Prof. Titeca told court that spirituality serves a range of control; from protection
during battles, sickness and living in the bush in general. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Spiritual rules have to be followed, you
can die if you don’t,” </i>he said. He further explained that the level of belief
depends on the length of time and experience in the bush. He <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>said that some respondents had reached a time
when they saw miracles such as bullets not being able to shoot them. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spirituality in the LRA took elements from
the Roman catholic church, Islam and the Acholi Traditional religion</i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_GoBack">,” he said.<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/null" name="_GoBack"><br /></a></span></div>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _GoBack;"></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While
responding to Beth Lyons’ question regarding child abductees, the witness said
children grow easily into the spiritual space. As to why somebody becomes part
of the spiritual space, Prof. Titeca said there are ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors.
He argued that when people are cut-off from normal environment they easily
adopt; and that spiritual elements help abductees as means of inclusion into the
LRA. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“It helps abductees to survive in
the bush…they have to behave, otherwise they will be killed,”</i> Prof. Titeca
explained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He went
ahead to explain that the LRA movement uses these spiritual elements as a means
to survive as an organization and hence the life of a combatant is very
thoroughly regulated by Kony who is constantly visited by spirits. He stressed
the fact that many rules come from spirits and others from Kony as well as
through dreams, but Joseph Kony has a final say on dreams and spirits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While
responding to Beth Lyons, Prof. Titeca said spiritualism in the LRA was more
prominent in the beginning than later especially after ‘Operation Iron Fist’
and the Juba peace talk era.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Defense
phase of presenting their witnesses is still going on and they are basing their
presentations on spiritualism in the LRA in defense of former commander Dominic
Ongwen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-18287422714269540122018-11-15T23:56:00.000-08:002018-11-16T00:07:00.112-08:00Thomas Kwoyelo’s bail application hearing postponed again<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Former Lord’s
Resistance Army commander Thomas Kwoyelo appeared at the International Crimes
Division of Uganda’s high court sitting in Gulu for his bail application
hearing on 15<sup>th</sup> November, however, the hearing did not take place
because defense requested for an adjournment. Defense lawyer- Dalton Opwonya
said legal representatives of victims demanded for more time during a status
meeting held before the start of the session in the chambers. He actually said,
following a ruling that was made on Wednesday 14, allowing some victims to
participate in the trial, there is need to give victims’ counsel time to
consult their clients before the bail application can be heard. He added that the
prosecution had also just received particulars of Kwoyelo’s sureties therefore
they needed time to review and verify, and that being a sensitive case, there
is need for defense to do thorough legal research on the matter which also
needs time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kwoyelo is
facing 93 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity confirmed by the
pre-trial judge on August 30 thereby paving way for the main trial to kickoff.
On November 13 the accused denied all the charges. He is being prosecuted for
violating </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Customary International Law and the Penal Code Act
due to war crimes and crimes against humanity alleged committed in Pabbo during
the conflict in Northern Uganda.<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While responding to
defense’ submissions, prosecution lawyer- William Byansi asked court to dismiss
the bail application because the defense was not ready, but he agreed on behalf
of the prosecution to the need for more time for victims representatives to
consult their clients. Defense counsel Dalton Opwonya denied not being ready
for the bail hearing noting that it’s due to victims counsel request for more
time to consult their clients,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> “it must
be respected,”</i> he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Victims lawyer Henry
Kilama agreed with the defense request for an adjournment stating that, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“It is in the best interest of victims to be
catered for… In all fairness all parties should be given a chance,”</i> Kilama
said. He requested court to order the registrar of the court to facilitate
victims counsel to consult their clients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In her ruling
therefore, lady justice Jane Kiggundu who presided over proceedings noted that
prosecution needs time to verify information of the sureties and victims
counsel needs time to consult the victims on their views as regards Kwoyelo’s
bail application. She then ordered that; the registrar should facilitate victims
lawyers to meet their clients and that for every document to be served, it must
be within a reasonable time frame. The bail application hearing was adjourned to
18<sup>th</sup> January 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Meanwhile on Wednesday
14<sup>th</sup> court delivered its ruling on victims applications gathered and
presented to the court by legal representatives of victims to allow them
participate in the trial. In the ruling, the trial panel ruled that using
pass-fail evaluation, participant group referred to as ‘A’ met the criteria to
be admitted to participate while those referred to as ‘B’ did not meet the
criteria and those referred to as ‘C’ can reapply upon obtaining further better
particulars. The ruling took place at the ICD sitting at Gulu High court.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-69012969147854283232018-11-13T22:47:00.000-08:002018-11-13T22:47:28.910-08:00Former LRA commander Thomas Kwoyelo pleads not guilty to all charges<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Former Lord’s Resistance
Army warlord- Thomas Kwoyelo has denied the 93 charges brought against him by
the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Uganda. Kwoyelo appeared before
the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court of Uganda sitting at
the Court in Gulu on Monday 12, and Tuesday 13, November for mention of charges
and plea taking. While responding to charges being read by the ICD registrar
Harriet Ssali, Kwoyelo said,</span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> “I have
heard and understood the charge…I did not do it and I don’t know anything about
it.”</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> The proceedings attracted a number of people including the Civil
Society, and the general public.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kwoyelo is facing 93
counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity confirmed by the pre-trial
judge on August 30 thereby paving way for the main trial to open on September
24, 2018 but it was cut short due to defense objections that the accused was
not fully aware of the charges against him due to a poorly translated
indictment to the accused. The trial panel was forced to adjourn reading of
charges and plea taking to November 12 in order to give time for proper
translation to Kwoyelo in Acholi language. The charges result from his alleged
role as a top LRA commander during the war in northern Uganda. He has been in
detention since the Ugandan army captured him in 2008, and his trial has
progressed at a slow pace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All the charges against
Kwoyelo were brought under Customary International Law common to Article 3 of
the Geneva Convention of 1949 and the Penal Code Act. In the indictment,
prosecution alleges that the accused and others still at large commanded and
took part in several violations of the law despite being aware of the outcomes
of such acts and the law that protect the victims of such acts. The charges
include pillaging, murder, torture, rape, outrages upon personal dignity and
other war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Pabbo
during the conflict in Northern Uganda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Meanwhile during reading
of charges, the defense objected redacted disclosure by the prosecution. The
prosecution used codes such as C1, C2, C3 while referring to certain persons as
a means of witness protection but Defense Lawyer Caleb Alaka argued that for
the accused to plead, all aspects in a charge must be sufficiently understood.
“<i>The particulars in the charge sheet must
be sufficient to answer…who is C4? If we can’t understand, he can’t understand,”
</i>added Opwonya another defense lawyer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
response to this matter, prosecution lawyer William Byansi insisted that coding
of victims was done in accordance with the law i.e. ICD rule 22 (2) of 2016
which provides for redacted disclosure, delayed disclosure and non-disclosure. <i>“It was the only way to protect some of the
most vulnerable witnesses since the trial had not yet begun…full disclosure
will be done at a later date.” </i>Byansi further insisted that security of
vulnerable witnesses is still an issue and there is no other form of protection
other than not disclosing their identity, he further mentioned that the scope
of disclosure was not properly defined during pretrial.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Legal
representatives of victims on their part held that it was almost impossible to
know whether the coded victims have a dual status [witnesses and victims at the
same time]. <i>“It might not be beneficial to
disclose at this point, but the question is, at what point will the court allow
disclosure,” said Henry Kilama.</i> He also emphasized that in absence of
protective measures, thorough assessment must be done before disclosing
identities. <i>“Court should be guided by
rules 21, 22 (3) (6) (7) of the ICD rules,” </i>Henry Kilama a victims lawyer
argued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
matter prompted the trial panel to adjourn the session for 20 minutes so as to
resolve the matter. When proceedings resumed the defense counsel allowed plea
taking to go on by stating that, <i>“The
prosecution has consulted the accused and done restricted disclosure…they
explained to him in details…we are ready to proceed,” </i>Dalton Opwonya said.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Plea
taking ended on November 13, and the matter was adjourned to February 4, 2019
for the prosecution to make their opening statement. The next item is bail
application hearing set to take place on November 15.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-3237927414841548702018-11-08T05:23:00.001-08:002018-11-08T05:23:27.885-08:00To survive in the LRA one needs to do everything asked of him; witness tells court<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On
November 8<sup>th</sup>, 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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kakanyero
referred to Dominic Ongwen as his brother, <i>“I
should refer to him as my brother because our fathers are clan brothers.” </i>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. <i>“Smearing me with shear butter changed the
world for me, I never felt myself after.” </i>Kakanyero recalled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">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].
<i>“…sothey said we were abducted for our own
security, </i>“he explained<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">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. <i>“They said the training was to enable us protect ourselves.”</i>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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“…they ordered that Omony be caught
and brought back or else people should be killed from his home village.” </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While
responding to another question from Bridgman, Kakanyero described Dominic
Ongwen as, <i>“a very good child; well
behaved and calmest,”</i> 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. <i>“The only thing is to keep praying to God to keep you alive” </i>he
said<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While
responding to Bridgman’s question regarding how Ongwen felt after witnessing
killings, Kakanyero said Ongwen was depressed but had nothing to. <i>“If you are in the hands of a beast you have
to do what he asks,”</i>h<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>e said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
witness further told court that when he returned home, he found out that <i>Odomi’</i>s [referring to Ongwen] parents
were not there and after inquiring, he was told that they were killed by the LRA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Both the prosecution
and legal representatives of victims declined to cross-examine the witness</span>FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-76795424720519520032018-11-07T05:18:00.002-08:002018-11-07T05:18:49.872-08:00Thomas Kwoyelo’s bail hearing at the International Crime Division postponed <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On November 6, the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the
High Court of Uganda convened at the ICD court in Kololo for a bail hearing of former
Lord Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo, who through his defense lawyers
filed for bail recently in an application written to the trial panel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kwoyelo is facing 93 charges of war crimes and crimes against
humanity confirmed by the pre-trial judge on August 30 thereby paving way for
the main trial to open on September 24, 2018 but it was cut short due to
defense objections that the accused was not fully aware of the charges against
him due to a poorly translated indictment to the accused. The trial panel was
forced to adjourn reading of charges and plea taking to November 5 in order to
give time for proper translation to Kwoyelo in Acholi language. The charges result
from his alleged role as a top LRA commander during the war in northern Uganda.
He has been in detention since the Ugandan army captured him in 2008, and his
trial has progressed at a slow pace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kwoyelo through his defense lawyers however applied for bail recently
and court had to handle the matter before the main trial resumes thereby
forcing the trial panel to hold a bail hearing instead, on November 5<sup>th</sup>
a date which was earlier scheduled for reading of charges and plea taking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In his preliminary
submission however, defense lawyer Charles Dalton Opwonya asked for an
adjournment because the defense was not ready to proceed with the bail hearing.
<i>“Our main surety Gilbert Oulanya-MP Kilak
County travelled outside the country on official duties and Counsel Anyuru </i>[another
defense lawyer]<i> who is mobilizing
sureties is sick.”</i> He said. Opwonya added that the defense is aware that
the trial will begin on 12<sup>th</sup> November, <i>“A trial which will take a long time…we are also aware that the accused
has already been incarcerated for 9 years that is why we are interested in this
application.”</i> Counsel Opwonya added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The prosecution team
on their part was ready to proceed with senior state attorney William Byansi asserting
that, <i>“we came ready to proceed and
already filed a reply.”</i> The prosecution expressed their disappointment with
the defense; in fact, prosecution lawyer Byansi mentioned that, <i>“It’s unfortunate that the applicants
themselves are not ready to proceed.” </i>The prosecution went ahead to say
that under normal circumstances, they would have prayed for dismissal of the
motion, but due to the uniqueness of the case and also many interests, they
shall accommodate the adjournment so that defense’s interest be given an
opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Legal representative
of victims Henry Kilama on the other hand insisted that victims’ counsels were
not served with the motion by the defense despite the fact that they managed to
appear in court; a claim which was refuted by the defense who insisted that victim’s
lawyers were served with hard copy documents. Henry Kilama also emphasized the
need for victim participation to be taken seriously through facilitating the
victims’ lawyers to reach out to the victims before the trial resumes on 12<sup>th</sup>
this month. He further noted that an
adjournment would give more time to interface with the victims; In addition,
Counsel Kilama said that, the trial panel should consider best interest of
victims in their rulings. <i>“The
adjournment should be allowed.”</i> Kilama said in agreement with the defense’
request.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another defense lawyer
Caleb Alaka in his response to victims’ lawyers, held that victims’
participation in particular is contrary to the law at this point because the
accused is still innocent until he pleads guilty which has not yet been done.
Alaka also emphasized that court should consider the uniqueness of this case
while delivering rulings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kwoyelo’s
case is the first war crimes trial in the history of Uganda, and the ICD has
had to create new rules of procedure that allow for victim’s participation and
other requirements that arise out of Uganda’s international law commitments.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In her ruling judge
Jane Kiggundu who presided over the proceeding ruled that, considering the
submissions from all sides as well as the laws applicable in which the
presumption of innocence is entrenched; she agreed with the defense request for
an adjournment. <i>“I agree with the
submission of the defense counsel…the accused is therefore remanded in custody until
November 15,” when the bail hearing will resume,</i> she ruled. The main trial
which resumes on November 12th will proceed concurrently with the bail hearing
which will resume on November 15<sup>th</sup>, 2018 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-85457722917239767022018-11-06T05:35:00.000-08:002018-11-06T05:35:17.293-08:00“Ongwen was a very simple person and he cared and loved us” the witness told court<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">On November 5<sup>th</sup>,
a former abductee of the LRA from Aruti, Patiko Sub-County, Gulu district was
examined by the defence team of Dominic Ongwen at the International Criminal
Court. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The witness was asked
questions about his abduction into the LRA, then about his experience as
soldier, and finally about his escape and return home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">He narrated a story of the
time when he was abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army together with other
people, women and men. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The women</i>” he
said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">were very young, I can firmly say
that a lot of them weren’t even adults at the time.</i>” When asked if he tried
to run away from the soldiers who were abducting him, he said that he had just
one chance when the soldiers were distracted, but unfortunately it was the
period of the year when the grass is really tall, so he couldn’t run too fast.
The soldiers managed to catch him, and they punished him severely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">After one month in
captivity, the army moved them from Kilak to Sudan. There he attended a
training to become a soldier and join the army. The Defence lawyer inquired who
was the commander of the battalion he was fighting for, after becoming a
soldier. The witness mentioned the name of the commander was Okelo Triga. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The witness said that the
higher rank of the LRA was the one of Joseph Kony, and that, although there
were many commanders and Brigades Masters (BM), nobody else besides Kony could
take decisions or defy Kony’s orders. Those who defied his commands were
heavily hit and killed. The defence asked if they were the only kind of
punishments. The witness explained: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“One
time we were based in a place that had some sort of prison, and it was used for
the disobedient. However, after that base was shut down and the LRA moved
somewhere else, they started killing them, it was easier that way.”</i> Even
Senior commanders, that were a very high ranking in the LRA, were killed as
anybody else in the army if defying a command coming from Kony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Showing to the Court a
picture of the witness hurt and bleeding, the defence counsel, asked the
witness about the battle in which he was shot and badly injured. The witness
explained that it was an attack organized to be executed at dawn, so that they
moved in the dark of the night following the indications of the intelligence of
the LRA, who went previously to discover the place. Because of the darkness the
attack wasn’t very well executed and a lot of them got injured or killed. The
witness said he was brought back to the LRA barracks by a colleague of his and
then taken to a hospital in Juba in an LRA vehicle. He stayed there to heal for
two months. When asked about the vehicle, he explained with some uncertainty
that it could have been provided by the Sudanese government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The following issue examined
by the Defence Counsel regarded some predictions made by Joseph Kony. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The witness explained that it happened two
times that Kony could predict what was going to happen. The first time was
around 2002-2003: he predicted a joint attack from the Sudanese and Ugandan
army, the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>)</u></b> and the Arab army. As a reaction he prepared the soldiers
for a battle and attacked first. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">He was successively asked
about the role of women in the LRA and he explained that when they were brought
in the bush they were assigned to the senior and junior commanders. The Junior
commanders couldn’t refuse to marry the one they were assigned, the senior
commanders (one ranking higher than the juniors) could refuse just one time.
Sometimes they didn’t even know that they were going to be assigned a wife, but
they had to accept anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The witness said he met
Dominic Ongwen and spent some time with him, but at the time he wasn’t a
commander, he was just a Brigades Master. When asked about his character he
said: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Based on my interaction with him,
I can tell he loved jokes, he was a funny and careful person. He often could
find time to sit with the juniors to interact with them, play cards together…
that was his character. Quite childish, making fun and jokes. He was a very
simple person and he cared and loved us.” </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the witness said<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Asked to describe to court
the character of Joseph Kony, he said: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it
is difficult to describe his character because he had his own life, it was difficult
to really know his real character</i>”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The Defence counsel asked
if the witness could recall something related to the time of the peace talks.
He explained that he does, but that it was very complicated for him and his
colleague to understand what was going on. At the time he was in Apu battalion
group, affiliated to Kony’s base, it was one of his security battalions. He
joined this battalion around 2008-2009, he said. During the peace talks he was
hearing from his colleagues that Kony was taking a lot of time before signing
an agreement. He said “the same Kony was telling us why he was hesitating to
sign. He said that if the warrants of arrest were still valid, he wouldn’t have
signed. He said with these words “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">if you
see a noose you don’t put your head in it</i>”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The witness explained that
the general feelings of the soldiers were happiness and optimism because they
thought they could go back home. Instead they were sent to fight more battles. The
Defence asked if at the time he had heard about amnesty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The witness said that all the soldiers did,
but that it wasn’t easy to go back home because there were many
consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We could hear testimonies
of former commanders on the radio, but we couldn’t understand how they managed
to return.” he added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-20221547823026034682018-11-02T06:55:00.001-07:002018-11-02T06:55:56.950-07:00Kalalang commanded the attack in Abok; defense witness tells court<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On
1<sup>st</sup> November, a witness testified at the ICC about his abduction,
LRA activities in Lango and Teso, Tabuley’s death and the attack on the Abok
IDP camp. Opio a former abductee who was conscripted at age 11 said he was
abducted by a rebel leader who he later learnt was called Kenneth, second in
command to another leader called Lubul from the LRA group called Twinkle. He
said Kenneth took him though routine trainings and he later became his bodyguard,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“My role was to carry his bag, gun and
chair.”</i> he said. He told court that it took him three years to be given a
gun of his own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He also recalled a
mission in Kitgum masterminded by Okot Odhiambo in which he was selected to
take part. He recalled that the mission was to obtain guns from government
forces. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The mission was not successful
because we collected fewer guns than expected.”</i> Opio recalled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He further recalled that
three weeks after the mission in Kitgum, they regrouped and went to Teso in a
place called Obalanga. He noted that many deputies including Tabuley who was
second in command to Odhiambo went to Teso. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Government
soldiers in Obalanga attacked us first… Tabuley ordered us not to attack.</i>”
he said. He said the rebels instead tried to flee but in the process entered
another ambush in which Tabuley was killed. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Lubul
and Kenneth also died in Teso.” </i>Opio added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The witness also talked
about the mission in Abok IDP camp in 2004 in which he took part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told court that they were selected by Okot
Odhiambo to go specifically and collect food from Abok. He stated that about
200 people were selected but about 20 only had guns. The witness said Kalalang
commanded the Abok attack. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Kalalang said
we were not going to fight but to collect food only from civilians.”, </i>he said<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He explained further that
they attacked civilians because they couldn’t give them food voluntarily so the
rebels had to take by force. He was responding to a question by Thomas Obhof-
one of the defense lawyers of Ogwen who examined him in-chief. He further
narrated how the Abok attack was planned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mr. Opio told court that
two girls were sent ahead to survey the place before the group could attack. He
told court that the group collected the food but were intercepted by government
forces before they moved far. While responding to Thomas Obhof’s questions on
burning huts in the camp, he said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I did
not see any LRA rebel lighting fire with the intention of burning huts.”</i> He
further told court that due to pressure from government forces, they dropped
the luggage [food] and retreated to their base in Akelo-Aliak where they stayed
until the following morning when government soldiers followed them- a battle in
which Kalalang was killed and others injured. As a result they fled to their
main base called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Defense-Auma’ </i>where
Kalalang was buried<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While responding to Thomas
Obhof about meeting Ongwen, the witness said he met Ongwen only once at a place
called Lacek-Ocot which was a meeting point for the LRA commanders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Talking about his escape
from the LRA, the witness stated that he escaped during a mission at a place
called Kalongo where they were sent to collect cassava. During the mission, he
said the group entered an ambush in which three of his colleagues were killed, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“In that mission only five people had guns
and when three were shot I had to run my own way.”</i> He said<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He also told court that, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The UPDF shot you even if you surrender to
them during an engagement.”</i> He noted that during his time with the LRA, he
witnessed UPDF shoot unarmed girls who surrendered during an engagement. In the
process of running away, the witness said he met civilians who then took him to
the camp where he was later taken to a rehabilitation centre. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lead defense counsel-
Ayena also asked the witness a few questions on why he remained in the bush for
six years without escaping and what happens when a person violates orders such as
burning huts or killing civilians when not told to do so. The witness responded
that people who went ahead to kill or destroy property would be punished
severely and if he had a gun, it would be taken away and the person demoted to
a status of a trainee. He added that he didn’t escape because he was very young
and that there were strict rules against escaping. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“…they often told me not to think about my family or try to escape
because they would come and kill everyone at home… that’s why I didn’t escape.”</i>,
the witness said<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-26109342762782811572018-10-26T03:02:00.000-07:002018-10-26T03:02:59.671-07:00“You can’t violate orders in the Lord’s Resistance Army,” Sixth witness tells court<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On
Wednesday 24<sup>th</sup> October 2018, Jackson Acama a former primary school
teacher testified about several topics at the ICC in the trial of Dominic
Ongwen. Among the issues Mr. Acama testified about included but were not
limited to; the formation of the Holy Spirit Movement [now LRA], Alice Lakwena’s
powers, Kony and events that take place in the LRA. Jackson Acama, told court
that when the National Resistance Army (NRA) [now UPDF] captured power, a
section of the then army formed a rebel group called the Uganda People’s Democratic
Army (UPDA) locally known as ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cilil</i>’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He narrated how he
ended up in the LRA. He said the NRA that had just taken over power did not cooperate
with civilians but rather carried out killings, torture, looting and mistreatment
of civilians. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“This prompted many of us to
join the newly formed UPDA</i>” Acama said. He noted that the UPDA did not
agree with human rights violations which enabled them to gain local support. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mr. Acama asserted that
in the UPDA he was taken as a coordinator responsible for mobilizing food
stuff, and sensitizing the community about the objectives of the group; and in
1986 he was taken by the UPDA to meet Kony’s Holy Spirit Movement in a place
called Awoo. </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“It was after being promised
that collaborators would be allowed to return…, but to the contrary we were
never allowed to return and that is how I ended up being conscripted forcefully
into the Holy Spirit Movement [now LRA]. </i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Acama said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He further said the
Holy Spirit Movement was started by Alice Lakwena after being inspired by the ‘holy
spirits’. He explained that due to the ‘holy spirits she possessed’, Alice Lakwena
became a traditional healer with the right to treat. Because of her skills
Alice worked in UPDA as a doctor until when the NRA attacked a UPDA sick bay
and killed all her patients. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Spirits
commanded Alice Lakwena to declare a war against the NRA in retaliation.” </i>Acama
recalled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mr. Acama explained that
initially, the ‘holy spirit’ ordered Alice Lakwena to form a taskforce of 300
troops with her exclusive after a battle in the eastern district of Mbale. Jackson
Acama said at that time there were disagreements which ensued between Alice and
the ‘Holy spirit’ who blamed her for failing to unite all Ugandans. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The Holy spirit ordered for her killing”</i>
but she escaped to Kenya where she sought asylum. Mr. Acama said that before escaping
Lakwena prophesized that, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“A boy would
emerge and continue the war; the war would begin from Sudan.”</i> Jackson Acama
asserted that the boy she was talking about is Kony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In clarification, the
witness said the prophecy came to pass when the ‘Holy Spirit’ manifested itself
to Kony on the Awere hill inform of a pigeon at a distance of 10m. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“That is how God made him a servant” </i>he
said. He further narrated that Kony then joined the UPDA 105 brigade, which he
later turned personal and named it the Holy Spirit brigade. He stated that
Kony’s spiritual qualities inspired even children to join his movement and this
culminated into the fulfillment of Alice Lakwena’s prophecy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While in the LRA,
Jackson Acama said he was recruited as a technician because he was learned. He
said technicians have the responsibility of controlling armaments through performing
some rituals to render the enemies’ weapons dysfunctional at the battlefront. Similar
to technicians, Mr. Acama said are controllers who also control firearms,
extortion of spirits among others. However, he explained that whereas
controllers go to the field, technicians do not. He said in 1988 when LRA
attacked Kitgum he was personally controlling the enemies’ guns from a stream
but during that battle in particular, Egyptian made guns called ‘Raskas’ failed
to be controlled, but the rest were completely controlled. The witness also
talked about ‘control alter and the yard’ which he said is the holiest place in
the LRA where all powers of God are exercised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He also noted that the
LRA have very strong regulations against escaping.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> “You can’t violate orders in the LRA, you can’t initiate your own
order and when an order is issued it must be followed.” </i>Acama said. He
narrated a story of a man called Ojok who escaped but was pursued and speared
to death when the troops got him at a ‘drink-up’ joint after recovering their
gun. He further mentioned that the LRA doesn’t condone the rape of women but
abducted women are distributed to various soldiers with strict regulations. He further
explained that spirits give initial orders that Kony then issues through a chain
of command. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“This made people to continue
to work and stay in the LRA because they believed to be working for God.”</i> He
said<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The witness concluded
his testimony on Thursday October 25th. The next witness will testify on Monday
October 29<sup>th</sup>, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268590438341966668.post-7590880240768240752018-10-24T02:34:00.001-07:002018-10-24T02:34:23.505-07:00Fifth defense witness testifies in the case of Dominic Ongwen at the ICC<br />
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On Monday
22<sup>nd</sup> October, the fifth defense witness in the case of Dominic
Ongwen testified at the ICC after a two week’s break. Mr. Nathan Emory Iron a
former officer in the Uganda People Front/Army (UPF/UPA) who also worked with
both the Ugandan government and in rebel activities recalled his previous
experiences with the current president of Uganda and close associates before and
after he came<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/null" name="_GoBack"></a> into power, and how he met the LRA leader
Joseph Kony. He described Mr. Museveni (President of Uganda) as “a man who wants
to do things on his own.” <o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr.
Emory was taken through his testimony by Thomas Obhof- one of the defense
lawyers on Monday 22<sup>nd</sup> October and part of Tuesday 23<sup>rd</sup>
October. Nathan Emory said he was “a guest commander” with the LRA while the
group was based in Aru, in the present-day South Sudan. The witness explained
that he was with the LRA from around 1996 till 2000.<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Among
other things Mr. Nathan Emory talked about was the abducted Aboke Secondary
School girls who were in the custody of the LRA and the pressures exerted on
Joseph Kony by Sudanese government to have the girls released. As a ‘guest
commander’, Nathan Emory said he took part in activities aimed at persuading
the LRA to stop malicious acts. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I
engaged with various agencies in Sudan including the French Embassy in Sudan to
compel them to negotiate the release of the Aboke Secondary School girls”</i>
Nathan told court. <o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nathan
further mentioned that he chose to relate with the LRA and negotiate with Kony
because President Museveni of Uganda <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“does
things on his own”</i> although his main intention was to resolve the Northern
Uganda conflict including the release of abducted girls and disbanding forced
recruitment in the LRA.<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He
further explained some of the rules in the LRA and among them was the rule that
demanded everyone to pray at least once a day <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“however if spirits send a message to the leader Jospeh Kony, we could
pray even ten times a day.” </i>Emory said. He revealed to court that in the LRA
every new born baby had to be baptized with water and that, mothers were
protected and kept away from danger. He said there were a number of such rituals
conducted in the LRA camp [Aru camp] where he lived for some time such as“respecting
water sources” among others. <o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr. Emory
also recalled how at one point they escaped attack by the UPDF on the
Karuma-Pakwach road which prompted Joseph Kony to order performance of rituals
but he did not recall the exact rituals performed that day.<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
addition to that, the witness informed the court that the camp [Aru camp] had
good facilities and properly trained health specialist to provide health care
to people. And that, at the time Dominic Ongwen was still a young man who one
time was in-charge of his [Nathan] security.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“He
(Ongwen) protected me, his soldiers and the other people very well until Kony
came back.”</i> Emory said in part during cross-examination by prosecution
lawyer-Gumpert on the second day of his testimony. Prosecution lawyer- Gumpert
also asked the witness to clarify some of his submissions, Gumpert went on to
read documents authored by the witness on behalf of the LRA, and in response he
said <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“the documents were authored under
instructions of Kony.” </i></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Legal representatives of victims declined to
cross-examine the witness. The last part of his cross-examination was held in
private session, and testimonies by defense witnesses are still on-going<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ongwen
is being charged with 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity
allegedly committed in the former internally displaced persons (IDP) camps of
Lukodi, Pajule, Odek, and Abok in northern Uganda. Among the 70 counts are
charges of sexual and gender-based violence and the use of child soldiers. His
trial started in December 2016 and both the prosecution and legal
representatives of victims have finished presenting their cases.<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<br />FJDIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390804509952573232noreply@blogger.com0