Video: Ongwen takes stand in ICC dock, praises God

Former LRA commander Dominic Ongwen (R) attends his trial at ICC yesterday. Left, a court guard looks on. Photo BY AFP

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Justice. The ex-LRA commander’s lawyer asked that evidence against her client be translated into Luo.

KAMPALA. Dominic Ongwen, a former commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels, yesterday took his stand in the dock at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and surprisingly gave thanks to God in his maiden remarks.
Mr Ongwen made his praise to God after he was tasked by the pre-trial single Bulgarian judge Ekaterina Trendafilova to identify himself to the Hague-based court. Ongwen was to reveal his full name, date and place of birth and his current occupation.
“I thank you. First of all, I would like to thank God for creating heaven and earth; together with everybody that is on earth. My name is Dominic Ongwen, I am a Ugandan citizen from northern Uganda,” a composed Ongwen who spoke through a Luo translator told the court.
He added: “I am from Gulu in northern Uganda, in Amuru District, Kilak County; in a small place called Coo-rom [literally meaning, men are equal]. I was born in 1975, I was abducted in 1988 and I was taken to the bush when I was 14 years old until now before you, present at ICC and I would like to thank you for meeting me. Since my arrival, I have been informed that I have been brought to ICC because of my crimes.”
Presiding judge chipped in and demanded to know from Mr Ongwen what his current occupation is. In his response, Ongwen told court that currently, he is unemployed. He added that prior to his appearance at the ICC, he was a soldier with Joseph Kony’s led LRA. The judge explained to Mr Ongwen that his maiden court appearance was not to have him tried against the seven offences of crimes against humanity and war crimes but basically to have him identified by the court, know his rights as a suspect according to the Rome Statute and also set a date to hear the confirmation of his charges.
Ongwen was transferred to the ICC on January 20, 2015, in honour of the arrest warrant by the ICC on July 8, 2005, for crimes against humanity and war crimes that he allegedly committed against the people of northern Uganda.
After Ongwen identified himself to the court, the judge went ahead to ask the court officer to read to him the seven charges that he is facing before the court of last resort.
The judge then went to the second part of the pre-trial session, asking Ongwen if he understood his rights as a suspect, telling him, he was entitled to a lawyer of his choice, a speedy trial, and presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. He is also entitled to a copy of all incriminating evidence the Prosecutor intends to adduce against him. After listening to the judge enlist his rights, Ongwen, who was closely monitored by two uniformed guards, stood up calmly and said through a translator, “I am aware of my rights.” Ms Helene Cisse, Ongwen’s defence for the day, beseeched the court to translate all evidence, in over 490 pages, against him into Luo, a plea the judge granted.
The judge later fixed August 24, 2015, for the confirmation of charges hearing, a date the defence lawyer and prosecutor Fatou Bensouda agreed to.

Some of ongwen’s seven charges

Newly crowned Uganda Ladies Open champion Tanzanian Angel Eaton in action during a past tournament. PHOTO | FILE

In count one, Ongwen is accused of ordering the commissioning of murder as a crime against humanity by unlawful killing of civilian residents of IDP camps in Uganda pursuant to article (7) 1 a of 25 (3) b of the Rome Statute.
In count two, Mr Ongwen is accused of ordering the commission of enslavement as a crime against humanity by enslaving the civilian residents of IDP camps in Uganda pursuant to article 7 (1) c and 25 (3) b of the Rome Statute.
In count three, Mr Ongwen is accused of ordering the commission of inhumane acts as a crime against humanity by inflicting serious bodily injuries upon civilian residents of IDP camp in Uganda pursuant to articles 7 (1) a and 25 (3) b of the Rome Statute

Ongwen is innocent, says ex-rebel’s brother

Residents of northern Uganda, where the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels waged an atrocious rebellion, expressed mixed reactions after former LRA rebel commander Dominic Ongwen appeared at the International Court of Justice (ICC).
Ongwen’s second follower, Mr Charles Ojara, accused the government of not listening to the family plea. “The world must clearly know that he did not join the LRA on his own will. He was abducted while at a young age and trained by the rebel leaders,” Mr Ojara observed.
To Mr Ojara, it is LRA leader Joseph Kony and not Ongwen who must be held accountable for the crimes committed during the rebellion.
“We want to visit him and ascertain how he is,” Mr Ojara who is taking care of Ongwen’s three children, who were rescued from captivity last year, said.
“We are not preventing the government and ICC from prosecuting Ongwen but we are also telling them to consider many factors and circumstances that made him commit such crimes,” Mr Ojara pleaded.
Mosts residents in the northern region followed the proceedings over Daily Monitor’s sister station, NTV and were quick to criticise proceedings at the ICC. Patrick Doi, a lawyer, said Ongwen seems to not have understood anything he was going through.
“I feel Ongwen can be best tried in Uganda in the war crimes division court where he is familiar with the Luo language and the Luo speaking lawyers can be availed to him for any interpretation at any time,” Mr Doi said.
At the Hague, Ogwen spoke his native language Acholi, a Luo dialect through interpreters.
The various leaders Daily Monitor talked to, called for clemency, the use of Acholi traditional justice to atone for the alleged crimes and questioned the government’s insistence on the use of ICC justice yet President Museveni had slammed the international court accusing it of bias.
Acholi Chiefdom Prime Minister Okin Ojara said President Museveni’s attack on the ICC credibility left many questions as to why Ongwen was left to be tried at the Hague based court.
“That is double standards that needs to be checked out. We pleaded to them to pardon him, (Ongwen), but we are seeing selective trial.
“There are some LRA top commanders who are here free as a result of the government’s pardoning,” Mr Ojara stated.
The kingdom official said the elders will continue to advocate for a meeting with ICC officials and we explain to them what the residents in the north think about the trial.
“To us the pre-trial at the ICC is not an issue. Amnesty can still be granted to him,” Mr Ojara said.
The Chief of Patiko clan, Jeremiah Bongojane, said the ICC trial will not override Acholi traditional justice system of Mato-Oput where reconciliation is paramount.

Julius Ocungi, Cissy Makumbi and Martin Odong