Throughout his career, he found himself entangled in a series of intense legal battles, from inciting violence cases almost always, to winning election petitions to terrorism charges, which tested his resolve and resilience. Despite these challenges, Ssegirinya remained a vocal advocate for the rights of the marginalized and oppressed, inspiring a generation of Ugandans to stand up for what they believe in.
Justice Duncan Gaswaga who attended the court proceeding online questioned the prison officials whether it’s a law or practice for them to produce a convict in court while wearing a prison uniform.
Johnson Natuhwera, a Senior State Attorney who represented the Attorney General however told the court that the primary responsibility for compensating the victims lies with the convict who committed the crimes but not the government.
Justice Michael Elubu in his sentencing judgement noted that the 40 year’s jail sentence on murder charges properly reflects the overall criminality of Thomas Kwoyelo.
Charles Richard Kamuli, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecution in his submission told the court that the majority of Kwoyelo’s victims were violently executed before their loved ones using sticks, clubs, and in some instances gunshots.
The judgement in Kwoyelo's case is set to be delivered by a Trial panel of four judges consisting of Justices Michael Elubu, Duncan Gaswaga, Stephen Mubiru, and Andrew Bashaija.
Kony revealed that on the night he was arrested, a spirit known as Mama Cellini from Sudan had told him that Kwoyelo was innocent. The spirit, a guardian of the sick people reportedly cautioned him that if he killed Kwoyelo, he would also be killed the same way.
Juliet Harty Hatanga, the Deputy Registrar of the Division told Uganda Radio Network Monday that Kwoyelo’s Defence team has so far lined up 30 defense witnesses for the trial hearing commencing next week at Gulu High Court.
In a ruling delivered on Monday at the ICD sitting in Gulu High Court Circuit, Justice Michael Elubu noted that the 15 charges were dropped due to insufficient, or lack of evidence presented by the prosecution.
William Odoki, a survivor of the attack, shared his harrowing experience during an interview with Uganda Radio Network.
Odoki revealed that the LRA rebels approached the IDP camp through Pagak Primary School, catching the deployed UPDF soldiers off guard.
Rackara says whereas other children are enjoying the company of their parents, especially their father, and being shown love, they have had to endure tough life of stigmatization as they have no father figure.
Okalany is competing for the job with three others; Morris A. Anyah from Nigeria who is a trial attorney in Chicago, U.S.A, Fergal Gaynor from Ireland, who currently serves as the Reserve International Co-Prosecutor at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia and Richard Roy from Canada who is currently Senior General Counsel with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
On November 10th, 2016, Kwoyelo`s sister, Margaret Auma bought a Bajaj Motorcycle registration number UEN 785F at Shillings 3.5 million to facilitate the family members to travel to Gulu High court to following his trial.
One of his lawyers Charles Dalton Opwonya told the court that Kwoyelo would like to use the bail to support his ageing mother, wife and six children financially and emotionally. He said MP Gilbert Olanya had offered to host the accused at his residence throughout the duration of the trial.
Speaking through an Acholi – English interpreter, Kwoyelo said he is sick and tired of waiting for justice in the International Crimes Division of the High Court designated to try him.