By Tolit Ivan
The former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) Commander, Thomas Kwoyelo has lined up 15 witnesses to defend him at his defence trial that started on Monday before the International Crimes Division of the High Court of Uganda sitting at the Gulu High Court circuit.
Kwoyelo’s trial commenced in November 2018 and was initially indicted of 93 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity charges allegedly committed between 1993 and 2005 in Kilak County, Present day Amuru District.
The court however in December 2023 dropped 15 charges and confirmed 78 others to which he was asked to put up a defence.
The ICD Deputy Registrar Harriet Harty Hatanga on Monday noted that Kwoyelo would present 15 witnesses in his defence in the ongoing trial.
The witnesses included Kwoyelo himself, former LRA fighters, expert witnesses and community members who believed in Kwoyelo’s innocence.
The accused is being represented by lawyers Caleb Alaka, Opwonya Charles Dalton and Evans Ochieng.
According to Ochieng, witnesses identified are very capable and ready to provide evidences to exonerate Kwoyelo of any wrongdoings.
Kwoyelo is the first among the top LRA commanders to face a domestic court on crimes related to sexual violence, murder, kidnap, robbery and pillaging allegedly committed between 1993 and 2005 in Amuru district.
