The High Court International Crimes Division has issued a ruling declaring that Kwoyelo Thomas, also known as Latoni, has a case to answer in 78 out of 93 charges brought against him.
The ruling stems from a prosecution led by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) concerning crimes committed during the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebellion against the Ugandan government from 1992-2005.
Kwoyelo Thomas, facing charges that include Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes, has been accused of various offenses, including Grave Breaches against the Fourth Geneva Convention. These breaches involve allegations such as wilful killing, taking hostages, extensive destruction of property, causing serious injury to the body, and inhumane treatment.
The crimes also encompass Crimes Against Humanity, as per Customary International Law, covering charges of murder, imprisonment, rape, cruel treatment, outrages upon personal dignity, enslavement, torture, and pillaging. Additionally, alternative charges include murder, kidnap with intent to murder, aggravated robbery, attempted murder, and offenses under the Penal Code Act, Cap 120.
Jacquelyn Okui the spokesperson for the Directorate Public Prosecution -DPP says Kwoyelo will now be tasked with defending himself against the specified 78 offenses. Notably, the loss of 14 counts is attributed to factors such as the death, relocation, loss of memory, and advanced age of some prosecution witnesses who were unable to testify.
The proceedings are set to resume on January 19, 2024, for mention. The prosecution team, led by George William Byansi-Deputy DPP, Charles Richard Kaamuli-Assistant DPP, Florence Akello-Assistant DPP, and Lillian Omara Alum-Chief State Attorney, is actively pursuing justice in this complex case.
A panel of four judges, including Justice Michael Elubu (Head), Justice Stephen Mubiru, Justice Duncan Gaswaga, and Justice Andrew Bashaija, is overseeing the proceedings. On the defense side, Kwoyelo Thomas is represented by a legal team consisting of Caleb Alaka-Senior Counsel, Evans Ochieng-Senior Counsel, Dalton Opwonya, and Boris Geoffrey Anyuru-Counsel.
Counsel Amooti Jane Magdalene and Henry Komakech Kilama have taken on the role of victims’ counsel in this crucial legal battle.
The case, which involves grave allegations from a dark period in Uganda’s history, continues to unfold with legal representatives on both sides diligently presenting their arguments before the court.