Kabake Programme amplifies Voices of War Victims as ICC finds Ongwen Guilty

Ongwen during the ICC verdict in the Hague. Credit: Hague

After the International Criminal Court (ICC) found Dominic Ongwen, the former Commander of the Ugandan rebel’s group Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity, war victims in northern Uganda turned to Kabake Community Radio Programme to give their views on the judges’ decisions. The war victims participated in the programme through live phone call ins while others were recorded and later played on the programme.

On February 4, 2021, Trial Chamber IX of the International Criminal Court (ICC) found Dominic Ongwen guilty for a total of 61 comprising crimes against humanity and war crimes, committed in Northern Uganda between 1 July 2002 and 31 December 2005.

The verdict may be appealed by either party to the proceedings within 30 days after the notification of the Judgment.

ICC Trial Chamber IX, composed of Judge Bertram Schmitt, Presiding Judge, Judge Péter Kovács and Judge Raul Cano Pangalangan, analyzed the evidence submitted and discussed before it at trial and found, beyond any reasonable doubt, that Ongwen is guilty.

Ongwen, the former Sinia Brigade Commander was charged with 70 charges in relation to his participation in war while in the LRA.

According to the judges, Ongwen committed the crimes during attacks against the Pajule IDP camp (October 2003), Odek IDP camp (April 2004), Lukodi IDP camp (May 2004) and Abok IDP camp (June 2004), as well as sexual and gender-based crimes directly and indirectly committed by Ongwen and crimes of conscription and use in hostilities of children under the age of 15 committed in northern Uganda between July 1, 2002 and December 31, 2005.

After the judges at the ICC found former the warlord guilty, there were mixed reactions as war victims and members of the community participate in the Kabake Community Radio Programme on February 7, 2021 on February 7, 2021.

Samuel Omonya, a resident of Industrial Area Cell in Gulu City said asked court to rescind its decision and release Ongwen unconditionally. “Ongwen should not be jailed. Court should consider rehabilitating him (Ongwen) instead so that he becomes a role model. Ongwen was abducted as a child. He never joined the rebel force voluntarily,” Omonya said.

He also blamed the government for failing children by not offering them adequate protection during the peak of the LRA led insurgency in northern Uganda.

Ms Kevin Aber, a farmer from Pader District said Ongwen was forced to do what he did. “Our brother (Ongwen) should not be jailed. Ongwen killed because he feared for his life. He did it under a lot of duress. Like thousands of other children who were abducted, he never voluntary joined the rebel force. He did it under gunpoint. We are aware of what happened here (northern Uganda). Even some parents were forced to kill their own children. So, I want Ongwen to be released by the ICC unconditionally,” Ms Aber said.

Morris Odongkara, a resident of Gulu City described the verdict by the judges at the ICC as disgraceful. Odongkara also questioned why ICC never investigated and pinned government on the crimes committed against the civilian population in northern Uganda between 2002 and 2004. “Women were raped by government forces. Some were abducted while others disappeared and there whereabout are not known. All these were done by government forces. Why did ICC investigated only the LRA for the atrocities committed in northern Uganda?” Odongkara queried.

Henry Komakech Kilama, a practicing advocate agrees and said there is need to investigate some of the atrocities in northern Uganda allegedly committed by the government forces.

Kilama cited Mucwini Massacre which is blamed on the government forces. He adds that even the killings in Barlonyo in Lango sub region and Atiak in Acholi sub region should be investigated. “Victims need answer to what happened to them. Therefore, it is prudent to investigate such killings and uncover the truth,” Kilama.

For the last 16 years, Kilama who founded Ms Kilama & Company Advocates has been a strong voice for war victims in northern Uganda to get justice. He has also used Kabake Programme as platform to push for a just society and the rule of law.

Meanwhile Sam Menya, a resident of Lira City criticized the international community for turning a blind eye on the plight of children while the war was raging on in northern Uganda. “ICC is now interested in prosecuting Ongwen instead of rescuing him when he was abducted. I have failed to understand how justice works. What is the interest of the court (ICC)?” he asked.

He also criticized the government for failing to protect Ongwen and other children during the war. “Government failed to give Ongwen protection. They allowed the rebel to abduct Ongwen before referring the matter to the ICC. I want to tell ICC that justice is not punitive but restorative,” he said.

But Jimmy Otim, the ICC Outreach Assistant Coordinator for Uganda while appearing for Kabake Programme said the ex-LRA commander received a fair trial. Otim said prosecution brought 109 prosecution witnesses including experts, former child soldiers, Ongwen’s ‘wives’ and former IDP camp residents to pin Ongwen on the crimes committed in northern Uganda. “Ongwen and his defence team also brought 69 witnesses to exonerate their clients and at the end of it all, it was a fair trial,” he said.

He also defended the creation of The Hague based court saying it will solve the problem of impunity. “Those who think they can commit crimes against civilians and think they will walk away; times is up because the world is watching you,” he warned.

Andrew Kibwola, a resident of Pabbo Town Council in Amuru District also welcomed the verdict saying war victims have been waiting for a long time to see being justice serve. “Communities in northern Uganda should allow ICC to do their work. Those who suffered during the war wants justice. They should sympathize with the victims. Victims are eager to see that justice is being served,” Kibwola noted.

Ambrose Olaa, the Prime Minister Ker Kwaro Acholi (Acholi cultural institution) had earlier on said that the said that there was no doubt that Ongwen was going to be found guilty for his role in the war. According to Olaa, there is no question that Ongwen’s case is complex considering that he was both victim and perpetrator. However, he said Ongwen should be held accountable for the crimes he committed as an adult.

Vincent Oyet, the Coordinator Lukodi Massacre Survivors’ Association in Lukodi village in Bungatira Sub County in Gulu District welcomed the verdict.

He said the decision by the ICC judges to convict Ongwen is a relative to survivors and relatives of victims of the atrocities committed the warload. On May 19, 2004, LRA attacked Lukodi IDP camp, 42 kilometers north of Gulu main town and killed over 50 unarmed civilians and abducted hundreds after overpowering government forces protecting the civilians before retreating to the bush.

Oyet said although there were emotions as survivors watch the live stream of the proceeding, they were forced to clap after Ongwen was convicted. He said some of the names mentioned during the guilty verdict were those of individuals killed during the raid at Lukodi IDP camp. “We had lost hope but we are very happy that justice is on our side. Unfortunately, some survivors died before witnessing justice being served. What the judges came out with in their ruling is exactly what happened on the fateful day. We are only waiting to hear how many years Ongwen will get for killing us,” Oyet said with a lot of emotion in his voice.

Residents of Lukodi, Uganda listen to the ICC verdict on Ongwen: Sumy Sadurni/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images (Got from New York Times)

Mega FM has partnered with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung to give a platform to communities who are still recovering from the effect of the over two decades Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) led insurgency to discuss issues related to post-war recovery, social justice, health and education, gender-based violence and land rights, among others.

Report by @OwichJames, Mega FM, Gulu