For more than a decade now, residents of Lukodi Village in Bungatira Sub-county in Gulu district where 56 people were massacred by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels in May 2004 have yearned for justice.
The massacre was allegedly carried out under the command Dominic Ongwen.
Mr Ongwen surrendered to African Union forces (some accounts say Seleka rebels) in January 2015 in the Central Africa Republic from where he was handed over to the ICC in The Hague.
Ongwen faces 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In Lukodi where the resident still carry scars of the gruesome attack, the live streaming of Ongwen’s confirmation of charges hearing gave hope for victims of the attack.
At Lukodi primary school, one of the sites of the massacre, residents hurdled on Thursday to watch the live telecast from The Hague.
“I feel happy that for the first time since the crimes were committed, I am getting to view the person who masterminded the attack in court,’’ said 55 year old Nighty Ange.
Ange survived the attack that dreadful day.
‘‘This s a good gesture that our hopes of getting justice will be served,” she said.
“For long we had wanted this to be done, I am happy that today we are seeing justice being served for the victims,” said Kennedy Ocaya who lost a nephew.
Mixed view
Mr Alex Acoma, however said much as Mr Ongwen is being put on trial at the ICC, the UPDF should be implicated in aiding the murder of people since on the fateful evening they fled the IDP camp they were meant to protect leaving residents at the mercy of the notorious rebel group.
ICC’S outreach Coordinator for Kenya and Uganda Ms Maria Mabinty Kamara, while addressing journalists at Northern Uganda Media Club on Thursday said the confirmation charges was not yet a trial charge.
Ongwen’s confirmation of charges hearing started on Thursday and will run till 27th of January.
During the hearing, the prosecutors will have to convince the Judges that there is enough evidence to put Ongwen for trial for the alleged atrocities he is accused of committing n northern Uganda.
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The Murder of Margaret Oyella Allimadi
And could someone please investigate and inform the public concerning the murder of Margaret Oyella Allimadi by her own sisters (from step mother). She was physically attacked over the house of Muje Otema Allimadi which is in Senior quarters Gulu. Then she was later on poisoned, she died on the 12 January 2014. The matter is with the police in Gulu. The people involved in killing Margaret are named as Babra Allimadi, Doris Allimadi aka Dee Allimadi, Susan Allimadi etc. Dee claims to be helping orphans, and Barbra claims to be an activist but they should not be allowed to get away with murdering a mother of three children. Acoli love justice as a society and as a people.
Lujogi keken. Milton Allimadi kilwongo ni LAKWOR i America, Omine acel kitweo i London pi neko dano. Gubedo ka neko lutino pa dako madit. Gimito ni kitam ni gibeco ento gubalo nying Ladit Otema. Jo aranyi dok lutal.
Here is some information
https://wallstreetcrusader48.wordpress.com/2013/03/02/milton-allimadi-cons-cuny-and-medgar-evers-college/