KAMPALA – After 10 years on remand, the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court has decided to hear the bail application of Mr Thomas Kwoyelo alias Latoni, former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel commander before the full trial.
According to a letter dated November 1, signed by the Deputy Registrar (ICD) Ms Harriet Ssali Nalukwago, she notified the lawyers in the case about the changes of the hearing date as communicated before.
“The above mentioned criminal case was fixed for November 5, 2018, at 9:00 am for further hearing at High Court Gulu.
However, the trial panel will first handle the bail application of Thomas Kwoyelo No.20 of 2018 at International Crimes Division Kololo High Court on November 6, 2018, before moving on to Gulu,” reads part of the letter.
Adding: This is, therefore, to inform you that the session will start on November 12, 2018, at Gulu High Court”.
The letter was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ms Alaka & Co. Advocates, Ms Opwonya & Co. Advocates both Kwoyelo’s lawyers, Ms Jane Amooti, victims lawyer and the Superintendent of prison, Luzira Upper.
Kwoyelo is charged 93 counts which include; murder, hostage-taking, kidnap with intent to murder, pillaging, aggravated robbery, cruel treatment, violation of personal dignity, torture and rape, among others.
He is alleged to have committed the crimes between 1992 and 2005 when he was a military commander in the LRA and held several positions including commander of operations, director of military intelligence and being in charge of LRA sick bays.
It’s alleged that Kwoyelo while in Kilak carried out widespread killings and abductions of civilians and destruction of property.
Prosecution states that at the commencement of the trial, they will adduce evidence to prove the charges against Kwoyelo. The pieces of evidence include postmortem reports on the victims, police reports and other documents, photographs, correspondences, written statements of witnesses and newspaper extracts.
Kwoyelo was captured in the forests of Central African Republic in 2009 and has since been on remand at Luzira prison, the same place he has returned to yesterday until he appears before the trial panel.
