Mr Jeremiah Bongojane Muttu II, the Rwot of Patiko Clan in Gulu has warned residents against interfering with the investigations of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to the May 2004 LRA attack on Lukodi IDP camp in Bungatira sub county, Gulu district.
Rwot Bongojane says those who are calling on the ICC to abandon its plan to try Mr Dominic Ongwen, the former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel’s commander are denying justice to those who suffered during the war.
“My subjects at Lukodi are asking for justice. They are not asking for something strange,” the Chief says.
He noted that the matter before The Hague based court is beyond the local people and those who are agitating to let Ongwen off the hook should not jeopardize the work of the court.
The chief says those who have evidence should assist the court to establish the truth rather than lamenting.
Ongwen has so far appeared in the dock at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to face war crime charges.
The charges all relate to an attack on Lukodi IDP camp in Bungatira Sub County, Gulu district on the 25th April, 2004 where over 50 unarmed civilians were massacred in cold blood.
However, the retired Anglican Bishop for Northern Uganda Diocese, Nelson Onono Onweng says the establishment of the ICC will go a long way into deterring others from committing heinous crimes against humanity.
Bishop Onweng explained that because the court is in place, all the evil people are aware that impunity has no place in the world.
Citing the books of Isaiah 59:7-8 and Proverbs 11:31, he said there is a consequence of any wrong deed and the ICC will help the world to punish those who walk in the evil way of Satan.
But Mr Piero Paul Ocan, an elder from Ongwen’s birth place in Kaladima, Lamogi Sub County says Ongwen should be forgiven since he was abducted when he was at the tender age of just 10.
Ocan argues that, “What the ICC indicted leader is said to have committed was against his will since he was forcefully conscripted into the rebel rank.”
Ms Maria Kamara Mabinty, the ICC Outreach Coordinator for Uganda and Kenya says the matter regarding Ongwen is already before the court and should be treated with the sensitivity it deserves.
Mabinty adds that Ongwen as a suspect before the ICC is not being accused of the crimes that he is alleged to have committed as a child.
“What the suspect will answer are the charges that are related to what he is alleged to have committed as an adult,” She explained.
According to the ICC coordinator, judges will look at the circumstances, the facts, the evidence and come out with a decision that will respect the rights of the suspect.
