Participants at the pre - trial meeting at the ICD
KOLOLO: As the International Crimes Division announced the commencement of the trial of former Lord's Resistance Army commander, Mr Thomas Kwoyelo, stakeholders said that they were impressed with the recent performance of the court.
Mr Kwoyelo's trial commenced on Monday (July 1, 2019) before the ICD sitting at the Gulu High Court Building, northern Uganda.
ICD court users on Thursday June 27, 2019 held a Status Conference at the Court's base, Kololo, where they concurred that the face of the Court has greatly improved in terms of operations, resources, accountability and legal technicalities.
Hon. Lady Justice Margaret Oguli Oumo chaired the Status Conference, which was attended by the Ag. Assistant Registrar ICD, H/W Esther Rebecca Nasambu; Victim Counsel,Ms Jane Magdalene Amooti; Defense Counsels: Mr Caleb Alaka, Mr Dalton Opwonyaand Mr Boris Anyuru; Asst.DPP Charles Richard Kaamuli; Representative from JLOS Ms Margaret Ojok, Staff at ICD, among others.
The ICD stakeholders said they were impressed with ICD's recent activities around the Kwoyelo case and a successful outreach in northern Uganda to keep the communities and victims updated about its status and progress.
They said they were partially happy that the outreach campaign addressed issues,including Amnesty for Kwoyelo, the bail application, compensation and reparations.
They further said they had an opportunity to express their desire to follow the trial through radio/video live streaming as well as physically accessing the Court for some of them.
It is hoped that Refugee Law Project will finalize its Memorandum of Understanding with the Judiciary to Support the ICD in live streaming of the Kwoyelo Trial.
Further,it is hoped that International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) will facilitate victim representatives in form of transport and refreshments for court sessions in order to bridge the gap in trial between ICD and the victim communities.
REDRESS UK, is also expected to support Victims' Counsel with legal fees for obtaining motions and Affidavits from 38 eligible Victims to ensure their meaningful participation in the trial as per the pre-trial Judge's ruling of 2016.
Posted 28th, June 2019
