Principal Judge Assesses Gulu High Court, Prison Ahead of Kwoyelo Trial

GULU – Ahead of the Thomas Kwoyelo trial next month, the Principal Judge, Dr Yorokamu Bamwine has inspected Gulu High Court to assess its preparedness.

Trial for former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel commander, Thomas Kwoyelo is scheduled to start on September 23.

Kwoyelo, is facing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity before the ICD of Uganda’s High Court.

He has been in detention since the Ugandan army captured him in 2008. To date, the charges against him remain unconfirmed despite the holding of several pre-trial hearings. In 2016, three pre-trial hearings were held in April, August, and September, while in 2017, three pre-trial hearings were held in January, February, and March.

The Principal Judge who was flanked by the Gulu Resident Judge, Stephen Mubiru, and International Crimes Division Court Deputy Registrar, Harriet Nalukwago Ssali, also met with lawyers set to participate in the trial.

The lawyers shared their expectations for the trial.

Mr. Opesen Thaddeus, the Gulu Court Assistant Registrar, took the Principal Judge on a guided tour of the premises.

One of the resolutions arrived at during the Inspection was that the ICD Deputy Registrar engages the Registrar High Court to ensure that everything is in place for the trial.

It was also observed that save for court recorders, the other things needed for witness protection are not in place.

Some of the missing items include curtains for all the court hall windows, a customised curtain box fitted around the witness box to shield the protected witnesses among others.

Judge Bamwine equally toured Gulu Prison to gauge the facility’s preparedness to host Mr. Kwoyelo.

Early this month, a team from the International Criminal Court visited the Gulu High Court to help with preparations for the high profile trial.