Former LRA commander Kwoyelo faces 78 charges in court
A panel of four judges is hearing the case and comprises Justice Michael Elubu - Head, Justice Stephen Mubiru, Justice Duncan Gaswaga and Justice Andrew Bashaija.
The High Court International Crimes Division has ruled that Thomas Kwoyelo alias Latoni, has 78 cases to answer out of 93 charges.
According to Jacquelyn Okui, the Public Relations Officer from the Office of the Director Public Prosecution, Kwoyelo was being prosecuted for 93 crimes, including Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes among others committed during the rebellion of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) against the Government of Uganda from 1992-2005.
Okui revealed that the crimes included Grave Breaches against the Fourth Geneva Convention under the Geneva Convention Act, 1964 including; wilful killing, taking hostages, extensive destruction of property, causing serious injury to body, and Inhumane treatment.
She added that he will also be answerable to crimes against humanity under customary international law of murder, imprisonment, rape, cruel treatment, outrages upon personal dignity, enslavement, torture, pillaging.
“Further crimes include alternative charges of murder, kidnap with intent to murder, aggravated robbery, attempted murder, and offences under the Penal Code Act, Cap 120,” she added.
Following the ruling, Kwoyelo will be defending himself for 78 offences including Grave Breaches of the Geneva Conventions including Murder, Pillaging, Cruel treatment, Violence to life, Outrages against the dignity of a person under the Geneva Conventions Act of 1964, Crimes Against Humanity under customary international law including Torture, Rape, Enslavement, Imprisonment and Other inhumane acts, crimes under the Penal Code Act including Murder, Attempted murder, Rape, Kidnap with intent to murder, and Aggravated Robbery.
The public relations officer from the DPP’s office added that Loss of the 14 counts is attributed to death, relocation, loss of memory, and advanced age of some prosecution witnesses who could not testify.
The matter has been adjourned to 19th January 2024 for mention. This case is being prosecuted by George William Byansi-Deputy DPP, Charles Richard Kaamuli-Assistant DPP, Florence Akello-Assistant DPP and Lillian Omara Alum-Chief State Attorney.
A panel of four judges is hearing the case and comprises Justice Michael Elubu – Head, Justice Stephen Mubiru, Justice Duncan Gaswaga and Justice Andrew Bashaija.
The accused is represented by Caleb Alaka-Senior Counsel, Evans Ochieng-Senior Counsel, Dalton Opwonya and Boris Geoffrey Anyuru-Counsel. Whereas Counsel Amooti Jane Magdalene and Henry Komakech Kilama are the victims’ counsel.
