Dominic Ongwen case: ICC Outreach launches new radio talk shows in Northern-Uganda prior to confirmation of charges hearing

As part of the outreach activities in preparation for the confirmation of charges hearing in the Dominic Ongwen case, the Outreach Unit of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has launched eight series of radio talk shows targeting an estimated audience of eleven million people in Northern Uganda. The programmes, called "Justice Matters", are radio magazines for men, women and youth who suffered as a result of the conflict in the country. Mr Ongwen has been transferred to the ICC custody on 16 January 2015; after the initial appearance hearing, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber scheduled the confirmation of charges hearing in this case to start on 21 January 2016. 

ICC outreach activities were increased following the surrender of Mr Dominic Ongwen earlier this year. The radio talk shows will ensure that victims and most-affected communities particularly in remote parts of Uganda have access to the judicial proceedings and will be completed with other types of activities including meetings with concerned populations in town hall sessions, information campaigns organised with partners of civil society and community based organisations at universities, schools and legal associations.

Presented in local languages by members of the various communities, including lawyers, human rights activists and media practitioners, the radio programmes were launched simultaneously on 15 June 2015 at 20:00. Subsequent broadcasts will take place on Mondays from 20:00 to 21:00 on Mega FM 102; Saturday 19:00; and 20:00 on Gulu FM 102.7, both in the Acholi sub-region; Every Monday from 19:30 – 20:30 on Unity FM 97.7 in the Lango sub-region; Tuesdays at 19:00 – 20:00 on Radio Delta 97.0 in the Teso sub-region; and every first two Fridays of each month on Voice of the Nile on frequency 106.1 in the Madi sub-region. 

The one-hour live radio programmes focus on the ICC mandate and activities as well as the judicial aspects of its work in Uganda, primarily related to the Ongwen case and covering also the Kony et al case. The radio series will also serve as a channel for the Outreach Unit to identify community information needs through specific questions asked by callers, promote relevant debates, and provide updates and explanations on the upcoming judicial developments in the cases of The Prosecutor v. Dominic Ongwen.   

For further information, please contact Maria Mabinty Kamara, Outreach Coordinator for Uganda and Kenya, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +256772700655 or +254772700655 or by e-mail at: [email protected].

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