Court to hear Kwoyelo’s bail application before trial

KAMPALA. The International Crimes Division of the High Court (ICD), has opted to first hear the bail application of jailed former Lord Resistance Army (LRA) rebel commander, Thomas Kwoyelo, before it can hear his main case.
Initially, the court had fixed November 5 to start hearing Kwoyelo’s case from Gulu High Court but the Judiciary has since changed the date to November 12.
The Judiciary has also fixed November 6 to hear his bail application from the Kololo-based ICD.The hearing notice dated November 1, was issued out by deputy registrar of ICD, Ms Harriet Ssali Nalukwago
“This is, therefore, to inform you that the session will start on November 12 at Gulu High Court,” the Judiciary notice reads in part.

No translated copy
At the last court proceedings on September 25, Kwoyelo’s lawyers led by Mr Charles Dalton Opwonya, told the judges that the State had served them [defence team], a copy of poorly translated Luo version of the charges and that they were not ready to go ahead with the scheduled hearing on that day.
“My lord, the copy of translated indictment we received was poorly translated. It had no name of the translator and was not even signed. In any case, if this had been signed from Makerere University, a certificate of translation would have been issued,” he said.
Mr Opwonya said it would be unfair for the court to subject Kwoyelo to enter plea yet he had not understood the charges preferred against him.
Justice Michael Elubu agreed with submissions of Mr Opwonya and ordered the registry to avail the defence team and the accused a properly translated copy of the charges and ensure the teams are facilitated by October 10 and 12 respectively.