It wasn’t Ongwen but the LRA: Why Ongwen’s Culpability Should be taken into Consideration by the ICC

On September 18^th 2018, in defense of Dominic Ongwen the defense counsel led by Krispus Ayena Odongo submitted before the Judges at the ICC that the 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed by their client were committed by the Lord’s Resistance Army under the leadership and command of Joseph Kony.

Counsel Ayena argued that his client, Mr. Ongwen was never present in the former internally displaced persons (IDP) camps of Lukodi, Pajule, Odek, and Abok in northern Uganda and was never involved in the planning of the attacks. Ayena’s counterpart, Charles Acheleke Taku added that just like Vincent Otti, and Okot Odhiambo and others, Ongwen was under duress from the leadership in command during his time in captivity.

In any violent conflict the behavior of perpetrators many times has a mix of innocence and guilt—many would call it a grey area. Child soldiers a category under which Dominic Ongwen clearly falls because he was abducted at a tender age are compelled to commit crimes against communities and people they Love in the course of the conflict. To say that crimes committed in any place is entirely a one man’s responsibility is debatable.

 It is the hope of some victim communities especially those close to Ongwen that the Judges are able to understand the complexities and command structure of the LRA clearly as they seek justice for Ongwen. This shouldn’t be solely based on the premise that modern justice systems are designed to identify individual responsibility.

Although identifying individual responsibility forms the core of modern justice systems, it ought to be understood by the courts such as the ICC that in most African societies, guilt is viewed as collective. Since Ongwen was under the leadership of the LRA that gave the orders. It might be wise to look at his contribution towards the alleged crimes as a collective rather than an individual responsibility because after all trials often seek to bring fourth criminal guilt and not the moral responsibility.

Fourth witness in Dominic Ongwen’s trial compares Kony to Hitler

Mr. Okot James, a clan leader and peace mediator, began his testimony with a narration of a story of when in 1972, he had to fly to Sudan from the conflict that affected Uganda and kept him away until 1979. Okot told court that when he returned he became a farmer but, as a result of the LRA conflict, he lost his cattle, goats and crops which has made life very miserable for him in his small village in Pabbo.

Okot narrated how he was abducted by the Uganda People’s Democratic Army (UPDA), taken to the bush and tortured. “In exchange for my return, I was asked to coordinate a group which I tried very hard to reconcile with the government…unfortunately, people had other intentions than peace making my efforts to fail” said Okot.

In 1989, Mr. Okot said he was imprisoned by the Ugandan government in a military barracks and them moved to a civilian prison for a total of four months. The conditions were horrible in both situations, Mr. Okot recalled: “when you’re a prisoner you are beaten, mistreated, you don’t have rights nor voice. You have to obey to protect your own life.” Okot said.

 In the barracks he was subjected to force labour. He uprooted grass and carried big amounts of corn on his shoulders. After four months he was released because they had no evidence to proof his guilt. 

After narrating what he went through while in detention, the defence counsel asked for clarity about his current job. Mr. Okot explained that he is a mediator of inter-clan disputes. In addition, the Defense inquired on the role of different types of spirits making part of the Acholi tradition. For instance, Gemo, which Okot said is an evil spirit associated with diseases like measles and death.

When asked about the link between Joseph Kony and spirits, the witness said that he can’t tell which kind of spirit possesses Kony. However, Okot mentioned that just like Hitler who died and was never found, Kony could equally disappear and hide as if he is possessed by spirits that inform him of what is about to happen.

The trial will resume in two weeks.

First defense witness completes his testimony with a cross-examination by the prosecution

At the ICC today, defense witness Yusuf Adek, a traditional leader from the Pageya clan, went through cross examination by the prosecution. Two days before he had undergone examination-in-chief (that is when a witness answers questions coming from the lawyer who called him/her to the court to testify) during which he went through the history of the LRA conflict, Kony’s way of living, peace talk negotiations and other dynamics of the LRA conflict.

Prosecution’s counsel Benjamin Gumpert asked Mr. Adek several questions during the cross examination. Among them were the Acholi norms regarding looting, killings of women and children, abduction and other issues like the LRA attacks on communities and escape from the LRA.

Mr. Adek told court that the Acholi culture does not allow killing of women, children and looting. In fact, “When you are going into the army, your mother tells you-do not kill a woman, donot kill a child, do not loot… the Acholi culture respects children, they consider a child an angel [Malaika]” he said. He also said the Acholi culture doesn’t allow burning of huts and abductions either.

He therefore argued that all these crimes are happening in the present days because soldiers are not following the norms. Gumpert also asked Adek of his knowledge of attacks waged in the areas of Koch, Padibe and Bolo and the mutilation of body parts such as the arms, ears and mouths and how he got to know about it.

Mr. Adek said he was not sure of exactly what happened in Koch and Padibe but he heard from a former Resident District Commissioner (RDC) who himself crossed one river three times during an attack in Bolo.

In response to the question of how hard it is for a soldier to escape from the LRA, Adek said he wasn’t sure, but a former commander- Okuti told him that it is very hard to escape. “…you fear to tell even your bodyguard” he recalled Okuti mentioning

Mr. Adek also narrated how the same RDC had mobilized community members to attack the LRA using machetes, spears, bows and arrows against his [Adek] advice, a venture which became a boomerang and caused him [RDC] to cross the same river three times after the LRA retaliated. The witness asserted that it was due to his effort that Kony reversed his decision of attacking Bungatira. Mr. Adek added that it was his effort that forced Kony to sermon his commanders against the planned attack.

“If they think machetes, spears, bows and arrows can win wars, why don’t they give machetes, bows and arrows to government soldiers?” Adek said.After the prosecution finished their cross examination of the witness, the defense was also allowed to ask the witness again pursuant to rule 140 (2) of the ICC rules of procedures which allows defense to ask their witness again, after being cross examined.

Adek’s testimony attracted questions from members of the public at the live screening in Gulu. For instance, one community member questioned why witnesses’oath are not taken in the open court. After the cross examination of Adek, defense called the second witness who was protected through face and audio distortion.

“Ongwen was among talented fighters who can be likened to UPDF’s Paul Lokech” witness tells the Court

On October 1^st, 2018, the Defense counsel in the Dominic Ongwen case started the presentation of its evidence before the International Criminal Court. Dominic Ongwen, a former commander of the LRA, is being charged for 70 crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Defense opened their presentation of evidence with the testimony from Yusuf Okwonga Adek, a traditional Acholi leader who worked with Joseph Kony during the peace negotiations.

Mr. Yusuf Adek decided to testify as a public witness, not protected by privacy.  “If you speak the truth, why should you hide your identity?” he said.

During his testimony, Mr. Adek went through the background of the conflict and explained in general the position taken from the population as regards the LRA. “Many people went in the bush with the LRA for contrasting the government, because they were tired of suffering the abuses and violence from it (the government)”.

Adek said he knows Joseph Kony very well, they first met in 1994 and then again during the peace talks in 2004. When they met, He and Kony had a conversation about his contact with spirits. “Kony is subject to spiritual control and his behaviour is not a choice” Adek added.

As a result of his close relationship with Kony, Adek testified that he got the Rebel leader (Kony) to take part in the peace talks, in order to let the Acholi go back to their villages and get education, bury the dead and leave the camps and also to admit to the killing of Vincent Otti as punishment for betraying the LRA. “All those who tried to escape were imprisoned; the LRA fighters would attack their area of origin and kill their parents” Mr. Adek said.

Mr. Adek during Tuesday’s hearing admitted that “Dominic Ongwen was among talented LRA fighters who can be likened to UPDF’s Paul L’okech, whose leadership has calmed the situation in Somalia”. “It is why your boss increases your rank.” He said that “Dominic is a reserved person who doesn’t talk much and if a soldier could be identified by appearance, Ongwen would not be one.” He added.

Asked about their opinions regarding the trial, community members in and around Gulu attending a live screening at Gulu district council hall re-echoed the need for the Ugandan government to be held accountable for its role during the LRA conflict if justice is to be done to Ongwen.

Kwoyelo Trial Adjourned due to Translation Challenges

On September 24^th, 2018, the trial of Thomas Kwoyelo, a former commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) began before the International Crimes Division (ICD) sitting at the High Court in Gulu, northern Uganda. Unfortunately, it came to a standstill a day after due to inaccurate translation of the Indictments as alleged by the defense counsel. The trial opened amidst ongoing uncertainty about how long the trial will take. However, the judges gave an estimate of three years as the likely duration for the trial. Questions on reparations for victims at the conclusion of the trial remain unanswered.

Kwoyelo is facing 93 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity resulting from his alleged role as a top LRA commander during the war in northern Uganda, specifically in Pabbo. He has been in detention since the Ugandan army captured him in 2008.Thomas Kwoyelo’s case has dragged on for a long time majorly because of budgetary challenges. He first appeared before the ICD in 2011 but his trial was delayed due to preliminary objection raised by his defense lawyers. The Objections was regarding his eligibility for amnesty which was valid at the time before the Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that he was not eligible for amnesty. The ICD failed to confirm charges against him despite several Pre-trial hearings held in 2016 and 2017 until August 30, 2018, when 93 charges were finally confirmed paving way for the main trial to start on September 24, 2018.

Speaking before a packed audience prior to the commencement of trial proceedings on Monday September 24 in Gulu, Justices Jane Kigundu, Duncan Gaswagga, and Michael Elubu—the three judges who will preside over the trial stressed the need for a speedy and expeditious trial, as they promised to uphold the rights of victims to participate in the process.

Since Thomas Kwoyelo is the first person to be tried by the ICD under Uganda’s criminal law jurisprudence, the ICD has had to create new rules of procedure to allow victim participation and other requirements that arise out of Uganda’s international law commitments. Meanwhile CSOs and the public continue to raise concerns with respect to the court’s preparedness towards victim participation, witness protection and how long the trial will take overall,

 In respect to the duration of the trial, Justice Gaswagga said that “We shall try to ensure that within three years we have completed”. “We are estimating that prosecution can take two years and the defense 1 year,” he added.

On victim participation, Justice Elubu told stakeholders that the court will largely borrow from procedures used in international law which allows the participation of victims although only a few victims may be called upon to inform court. “We shall not leave out the victims,” said Justice Elubu.

As regards witness protection the judges stated that it is a new aspect within Uganda’s law which has only been considered in a few cases. The Judges nevertheless agreed that it is an important aspect and the court will devise measures some of which are already in place.

In response to translation, an aspect that has halted the trial because the Indictment was inaccurately translated, justice Gaswaga said “Whoever comes to the court should understand what is said. The accused should understand, and all people should participate,”. Citing Article 23 of the Uganda’s Constitution which requires interpretation for the accused on trial, the judges found it necessary to adjourn the trial until November 5^th 2018 and that a properly translated indictment be served to the accused and all other parties by 2^nd Oct, 2018

Another issue that came to light during the first days of the trial is the poor facilitation to the defense by the registrar. The Judges citedArticle 28 (3) of the Constitution of Uganda which states thatfacilitation should be provided for the defense. Following a number of issues raised during the proceedings, Justice Jane Kiggundu adjourned the trial to November 5, 2018 for reading of charges and plea taking.

Ongwen’s Lawyers Ask Court to Dismiss All Charges Against Him

Dominic Ongwen’s lawyers have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to dismiss all the charges against him for crimes he is alleged to have committed as a commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in northern Uganda more than 13 years ago.

His lawyers told the court that it is the LRA and its leader, Joseph Kony, who should be facing the 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity that Ongwen has been charged with. Ongwen’s lawyers said this in their opening statements on Tuesday, beginning the defense phase of the trial.

Ongwen’s lawyers said the LRA abducted him when he was nine or 10 years old in 1988 and he was coerced into joining the group. Ongwen remained with the LRA because “he was gripped by the Stockholm Syndrome,” and he felt, “he owed his life to Joseph Kony,” said Krispus Ayena Odongo, Ongwen’s lead lawyer.

“It’s our position (the chamber) should dismiss all the charges against … Mr. Ongwen, who is a victim,” said Beth Lyons, who is another of Ongwen’s lawyers.

“Dominic Ongwen should be sitting on the bench of witnesses to testify against Joseph Kony. He should not be sitting here answering 70 charges,” said Charles Achaleke Taku, another defense lawyer.

Ongwen has been charged for crimes he is alleged to have committed between July 1, 2002 and December 31, 2005. During this period, he is accused of being involved in attacks on four camps for internally displaced people (IDPs). He is also alleged to have committed sexual and gender-based crimes and conscripted child soldiers.

The defense phase of Ongwen’s trial began on Tuesday after the prosecution concluded its case in April and lawyers for victims presented their case in May. The prosecution called 69 witnesseswho testified over 142 days. The victims’ lawyers called seven witnesses who testified over seven days.

On Tuesday, Odongo told Trial Chamber IX that it will be faced with a number of questions as the defense presents its case.

The chamber will have to determine “whether the accused qualifies as a victim? Whether his victimhood ceased at any time during his captivity with the LRA?” Odongo said.

He said Ongwen “spent 27 years under the vicious grip of the LRA,” and the chamber would have to determine, “whether the accused, like many of his peers, believed in Kony’s spiritualism? Did it leave him with the presence of mind to act independently … even upon attaining physical adulthood?”

Odongo did speak at some length about Kony and a group of spirits Kony claimed he spoke with. Odongo also said that in the LRA it was widely believed that Kony monitored what everyone in the group did, even when he was not physically present. He said Kony had a network of spies he used to watch LRA members.

“It has been suggested that Mr. Ongwen rapidly rose in rank because of his unique loyalty to Joseph Kony and the LRA. That could not be any further from the truth,” said Odongo.

“The period between 2002 and 2005 saw the death or capture of most of the LRA top commanders,” said Odongo. He listed those commanders as Tabu Ley, Kenneth Banya, Raska Lukwiya, and Onen Kamdulu.

“He was therefore only promoted to fill the void,” Odongo. He said during the time Ongwen was promoted, Kony thought Ongwen was planning to escape.

“He (Ongwen) had to be incentivized to dissuade him from escaping. Joseph Kony used mind games to keep his victims within the LRA. One of the tactics he used was sham promotions,” said Odongo.

When he began his opening statement, Odongo said the defense team had divided the presentation of their case into three parts. He said he would present an overview of the case, Taku would speak on the modes of liability that Ongwen has been charged with, and Lyons would address the issue of fair trial rights.

In his overview, Odongo said the LRA began as a “a pro-people revolutionary army” but it changed over time as the group lost the support of people in northern Uganda and the government changed how it dealt with the northern Uganda crisis.

He said as the population became more hostile to the LRA, the group adopted a “new policy of forceful recruitment/conscription into the LRA.” Odongo said the government also pushed the civilian population into IDP camps, which became the only source of food in northern Uganda. He said this and the government attacking LRA bases in Sudan pushed the group to attack the IDP camps. Odongo said the LRA targeted the IDP camps for food and the arms of the soldiers and militia guarding the camps.

Odongo also said that Uganda’s military deliberately prolonged the northern Uganda conflict.

“It will be shown that the war in northern Uganda became a cash cow and therefore nobody was willing to stop it in a hurry,” said Odongo.

Taku told the court that the evidence the prosecution presented was incomplete and that the defense will bring evidence to disprove the prosecution’s case.

“Dominic Ongwen is being held responsible for crimes of individuals who have not been charged and some of whom have been granted amnesty,” said Taku.

“Without that evidence about those commanders, Your Honors will not be able to ascertain the contribution of Mr. Ongwen himself,” said Taku.

On the issue of Ongwen’s promotions in the LRA, Taku said, “By the time he escaped he had been reduced to a private and this is to challenge the idea of rapid promotion.”

Lyons told the court that when Ongwen pleaded not guilty to the charges against him on December 6, 2016, he did not make an unequivocal statement. She said Ongwen only received a complete translation of the decision confirming the charges against him in mid-December, after he had taken his plea. Lyons also said that the eight modes of liability were not read to Ongwen before he took his plea.

“Modes of liability is important because it explains to the defendant the roles he is alleged to have played in respect of the crimes,” said Lyons. She said it was the defense’s submission that Ongwen’s fair trial rights were violated because the plea he took was illegal.

Lyons also presented other reasons the defense thought showed Ongwen’s fair trial rights have been violated. She argued there was an inequality of arms between the prosecution and the defense. Lyons said the prosecution had a more than 11-year “head start” over the defense in investigating and working on the case against Ongwen. She said the prosecution had more lawyers and personnel than the defense to prepare for trial and argue before the court.

Lyons said Article 31 of the Rome Statute provided grounds for defenses that could be raised but it did not address the standard of proof the defense would be required to meet. She said the defense intended to raise mental disease or defect as one defense for Ongwen’s actions and also raise duress as another defense.

“For this trial chamber, the issue is who should bear the burden of proof for an affirmative defense and to what standard should it be proved?” said Lyons.

“In terms of summing up, we would suggest a two-step approach: the defense raise an affirmative defense and be required to prove the affirmative defense with some evidence and a shift to the prosecution to disprove the affirmative defense beyond reasonable doubt,” said Lyons.

She also spoke about the sexual and gender-based crimes charges Ongwen is facing. Lyons said the defense was aware that arguments about such crimes can be “highly emotional.”

“We trust that the judges will extricate the emotion and look at the facts in the case. We also want the judges to look at the charges in context,” said Lyons.

She said Ongwen, “received his sexual education in the bush from Joseph Kony. We want to say that neither Mr. Ongwen nor the women could refuse (to have sex) without the likelihood of death. Who was forced by whom?”

Lyons said, “both men and women were forced (to have sex) by Joseph Kony. No abductee had any choice. From this we conclude both men and women, boys and girls, they are all victims who suffered harm through these policies of Joseph Kony.”

Lyons said the defense is asking that “the modes of liability and the criminal charges (against Ongwen) should be dismissed.”

When Lyons concluded her submissions, Presiding Judge Bertram Schmitt said the first defense witness will begin testifying on October 1.

Ugandan Delegation in The Hague as Thousands of People Attend Live Screening Sessions Across Northern Uganda

The long-anticipated opening of the defense’s case against Dominic Ongwen started on Tuesday 18, September, before the International Criminal Court (ICC). Present to attend the proceedings was a Ugandan delegation comprising religious and traditional leaders, civil society, and media representatives. Back home in Uganda, thousands of people who could not make it to The Hague were able to follow proceedings through live screening sessions organized by the ICC field outreach office in Uganda.

Ongwen is 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. The prosecution and the legal counsels for victims concluded the presentations of their cases in April and May 2018 respectively. Following a short recess, it was time for Ongwen’s defense team to respond.

The delegation to The Hague was led by the Acholi Paramount Chief, Rwot David Onen Achana II, and His Grace John Baptist Odama, the Archbishop of Gulu. The delegation arrived in The Hague on Monday September 17, and immediately held meetings with Peter Lewis, the ICC registrar, and members of the two teams of legal representatives for victims. On Tuesday the 18th, the delegation attended the hearings throughout the day to witness the opening of the defense’s case.

“Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done,” said Maria Kamara, from the ICC Field Outreach Office in Uganda. “Therefore, having the delegation from northern Uganda in The Hague, in the ICC gallery to watch the trial of Ongwen, does not only fulfill this principle, but makes the process meaningful and relevant to communities that have been directly affected.”

Archbishop Odama said, “When we came here last year to witness the opening statements of the prosecution, we told the ICC to also give us a chance to hear the side of the defense. The good thing is that the opening statements of both parties have been broadcast and we have been able to witness. Information is very important.”

Back home in Uganda, live screening sessions were held in Gulu Town and the former IDP camps of Lukodi, Odek, Pajule, and Abok. Live relays of the audio proceedings were also conducted on the three local radio stations across northern Uganda, a factor that evidently promoted the participation of victims.

“I liked the screenings and was able to see the trial. It keeps us close and united. I believe in the fact that even if you are wrong you need to defend yourself, so Ongwen deserves a defense. Now we will see what happens and what the judges will decide,” said a community member who attended the hearing in Gulu town.

Stephen Balmoi, a radio presenter in Gulu who was also part of the delegation said, “Being a media practitioner, the information is important for the people back home. People are interested in knowing what is happening here at the ICC.”

“It is good that we got the information first hand from the court other than being told second hand what happened,” said Anthony, another journalist who was also part of the delegation.

“As a leader from northern Uganda I find it important that we were able to attend the opening of the defense’s case in as far as involvement and participation of the people of northern Uganda is concerned,” said Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Gulu District Chairperson. “It is important that the people of northern Uganda follow closely the proceedings.”

In The Hague, the defense gave its opening statement, outlining their trial strategy and the evidence they would rely on. “We shall prove that Dominic Ongwen’s perceived culpability is a sham,” said Krispus Ayena Odongo, Ongwen’s lead defense counsel. “Mean circumstances beget mean people, and fruits rot as they ripen. The mean circumstance in Uganda begot Dominic Ongwen,” said Odongo.

The delegation who witnessed the opening of the trial in The Hague had mixed reactions, although all were happy to have witnessed this historic moment from the courtroom.

“I would expect the defense to rely on evidence and substantiate what they are saying,” said Acholi Paramount Chief, Rwot Achana. “Maybe it will come at a later stage.”

“The defense is bringing good arguments but they should summarize their submissions. They should focus on differentiating between crimes committed by Ongwen as a person and those that should be attributed to the LRA,” said Moses Omiat, a member of the delegation.

“There are questions around the issue of spiritualism. I do not know if the Court will buy into the idea of the whole LRA being under a spell,” said Balmoi. “The defense also brought to light several crimes committed by the Ugandan army, which makes the government culpable. Could the prosecutor launch an investigation against the Ugandan army? However, my fear is that much of what the defense is talking about happened before 2002 so what will be the fate of these victims?

John Sebutinde, an Ugandan visiting The Hague who was also present at the trial, expressed concern with the defense’s lack of focus on victims. “I got the feeling that the defense is not interested in the victims. They talk of the LRA as being amorphous. However, it is a fact that we have victims and that is why this trial is relevant.”

“As rightly observed by the defense, the ICC is handling cases from 2002 which makes the story of the LRA war and the suffering of the people of northern Uganda incomplete. When the story is incomplete, it offers what we call incomplete justice,” said Mr. Mapenduzi.

“I agree with the defense team that the ICC has singled out Ongwen as a surrogate,” Bishop Onono Onweng said. “The 70 counts should have been brought against the LRA and the government of Uganda for failing to protect its citizens.”

In Uganda, there were also mixed reactions from the people regarding the submissions of the defense lawyers.

“The defense lawyer’s allegations are weak. I am not understanding why their main argument is Ongwen being abducted while young. Also saying that Kony’s spirit was the one prevailing over him shows that they don’t have clear [evidence]. Ongwen’s lawyers should come up with clear [evidence] about their witnesses,” said a community member from Lukodi.

“Ongwen’s lawyers are blaming the government for the atrocities in northern Uganda. I do not know if it is going to be considered by the court since the government’s name was not on ICC’s list. The lawyers are finding ways for Ongwen to win but truth and fairness should prevail,” said another community member from Lukodi.

Other community members however agreed with some aspects of the defense’s allegations that Joseph Kony and the Ugandan Government should be the one on trial.

“I agree that Kony is the one who brought all the suffering and the government should work hard to look for Kony and he should face trial,” said one community member.

“Ongwen was abducted. It is government and Kony to be tried but not Ongwen. Ongwen should not be punished. It is the government and Kony to be punished. If Ongwen is punished, it will bring fear to those who returned from the bush,” said another community member.

The defense has revealed a strategy to argue that Kony had spiritual powers that influenced people like Ongwen to follow his orders. The defense allegedly plans to place a witchdoctor in the stand to prove this allegation. Community members in northern Uganda also reacted with mixed feelings to this topic.

“I feel ashamed to hear that the defense is presenting a witchdoctor as a witness,” said a councilor from Lukodi. “It is really shaming. If this matter is ruled in favor of Ongwen then the ICC is useless because for us we do not use witch doctors. What Ayena the lawyer is saying is a lie.”

Another community member however agreed with the lawyers’ allegation that Kony had spiritual powers that influenced Ongwen. “If Kony was my commander I would have had to do what he commanded. I would not have done what I wanted. Even if the ICC says that it was Ongwen’s own decision to kill people, it is wrong. He had a commander and he was obeying him. I believe that Ongwen was also chosen by a spirit and he was doing what the spirit was telling him to do,” said the community member.

Other community members, like Ongwen’s lawyers, expressed concern with the high number of charges levelled against Ongwen.

“Ongwen was charged 70 charges. Can you imagine with 70 charges? I can’t imagine how many years it will take to try him,” said a respondent in Gulu town.

“How can a human being have 70 charges? It’s impossible. And that is wrong,” said another respondent.

Some formerly abducted persons continued to express solidarity with Ongwen regarding the fact that he was abducted.

“I am also a victim like him,” said a formerly abducted person. “He was abducted and taken to the bush at 9 years of age. Imagine if it was you and as a child you are taken into such a system, you would come out like somebody who is not the person you were before.”