Kwoyelo asks court for special diet

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Thomas Kwoyelo, a former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) warlord facing 93 charges stemming from atrocities committed during the Northern Uganda political insurgency, has made a plea to the International Crimes Division of the High Court for a special food diet. Kwoyelo, who has been on remand for over 15 years, cited ulcers as the reason for his request.

He stated that while the court previously provided him with a prescribed diet, he has not received the necessary diet following the closure of his session case, resulting in a deterioration of his condition. Kwoyelo’s lawyer, Geoffrey Anyuru, conveyed this request before the ICD Registrar, Beatrice Atingu.

The matter was raised during a recent court session, where it was being ascertained whether Skeleton submissions had been made regarding whether Kwoyelo should face a case or be acquitted following the conclusion of the Prosecution’s case with 53 witnesses. The State Attorney, Richard Birivumbuka, along with the victim’s counsel, expressed that they had not yet made their submissions and requested an adjournment for more time.

In response, Registrar Atingu adjourned the case to September 18th, 2023, with the session scheduled to take place in Gulu, as directed by Justice Michael Elubu, the head of the trial panel.

Kwoyelo’s trial involves Justices Stephen Mubiru and Duncan Gaswagga, with Justice Dr. Andrew Bashaija, the head of the International Crimes Division, serving as an Alternate Judge in the case.

The Prosecution alleges that Kwoyelo, hailing from the present-day Amuru district in Northern Uganda, became involved with the LRA, receiving military training and leading attacks on civilians in various years.

The incidents involved the use of weapons like axes, clubs, and guns, resulting in the deaths of victims who were taken hostage. Kwoyelo, who has expressed a desire for a speedy trial at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands, appeared in court accompanied by armed prison officers. Unlike other inmates who travel by bus, Kwoyelo was transported in a special vehicle back to Luzira prison.

In July 2023, the Principal Judge, Dr. Flavian Zeija, highlighted that the Judiciary is considering allocating funds specifically for Kwoyelo’s trial due to numerous delays caused by funding issues. He also noted that the trial has faced challenges stemming from the suspect’s contestation of the proceedings, which had reached the Supreme Court before returning to the High Court’s International Crimes Division.

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