Situation referred to the ICC by the Government of Uganda: January 2004
ICC investigations opened: July 2004
ICC investigations closed: 1 December 2023
Focus: Alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the context of a conflict between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the national authorities in Uganda since 1 July 2002 (when the Rome Statute entered into force)
Regional focus: Northern Uganda
Pre-Trial Chamber III
Judge Althea Violet Alexis-WindsorJudge Iulia Motoc
Judge Haykel Ben Mahfoudh
DOCUMENTS
Jurisdiction in the general situation
In June 2002, Uganda ratified the Rome Statute, and in January 2004, it referred the situation in its territory since 1 July 2002 to the ICC. The ICC therefore may exercise its jurisdiction over crimes listed in the Rome Statute committed on the territory of Uganda or by its nationals from 1 July 2002 onwards.
Context and alleged crimes
The ICC investigations in Uganda have focussed on alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the context of an armed conflict predominantly between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the national authorities, mainly in Northern Uganda, since 1 July 2002.
Upon receiving the referral from the Ugandan Government, the Office of the Prosecutor issued a press release stating: "A key issue will be locating and arresting the LRA leadership. This will require the active cooperation of states and international institutions in supporting the efforts of the Ugandan authorities. Many of the members of the LRA are themselves victims, having been abducted and brutalised by the LRA leadership. The reintegration of these individuals into Ugandan society is key to the future stability of Northern Uganda. This will require the concerted support of the international community – Uganda and the Court cannot do this alone."
Investigations opened in July 2004, and alleged crimes in this situation include:
- war crimes, including murder; cruel treatment of civilians; intentionally directing an attack against a civilian population; pillaging; inducing rape; and forced enlistment of children; and
- crimes against humanity, including murder; enslavement; sexual enslavement; rape; and inhumane acts of inflicting serious bodily injury and suffering.
This situation led the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber judges to issue the Court's first warrant of arrest in 2005, against top members of the LRA. All suspects remained at large for a decade, until one LRA member, Dominic Ongwen, surrendered himself in January 2015. Other top members of the LRA, Joseph Kony and Vincent Otti remain at large.
On 1 December 2023, ICC Prosecutor Karim A. A. Khan KC announced the conclusion of the investigation phase in the situation in Uganda.
2
Cases
1
Ongoing Trials
5
Warrants of arrest
1
In custody
2
At large
Cases
The warrants of arrest in this case were issued under seal on 8 July 2005 and unsealed on 13 October 2005. The suspect Joseph Kony is still at large. While the case originally involved Raska Lukwiya, Okot Odhiambo and Vincent Otti, proceedings against them were terminated due to their passing.
On 23 November 2023, Pre-Trial Chamber II issued a preliminary decision on the Prosecutor’s Request to hold a confirmation of charges hearing in Mr Kony’s absence. The Prosecutor filed the Document Containing the Charges on 19 January 2024. On 4 March 2024, Pre-Trial Chamber II issued a decision on the Prosecutor’s request to hold a confirmation of charges hearing in the case against Joseph Kony in the suspect’s absence, should he not appear, and set the date for this hearing, to commence on 15 October 2024.
On 12 September 2024, Pre-Trial Chamber postponed the commencement of the confirmation hearing scheduled for 15 October 2024, following the Defence, Prosecution, and Office of the Public Counsel for Victims observations. On 29 October 2024, Pre-Trial Chamber III issued a decision concluding that all the requirements to hold a confirmation of charges hearing in the absence of the suspect Joseph Kony are now met.
Next steps: The confirmation of charges hearing is scheduled to start on 9 September 2025, in the absence of the suspect.
Document containing the charges – Office of the Prosecutor, 19 January 2024
Decision on the Prosecution’s request to hold a confirmation of charges hearing in the Kony case in the suspect’s absence’ – Pre-Trial Chamber II, 23 November 2023
Second decision on the Prosecution’s request to hold a confirmation of charges hearing in the Kony case in the suspect’s absence – Pre-Trial Chamber II, 4 March 2024
Decision on the criteria for holding confirmation of charges proceedings in absentia – Pre-Trial Chamber III, 29 October 2024
The trial began on 6 December 2016. The Prosecution and the Defence have completed the presentation of their evidence. The Legal Representatives of Victims also called witnesses to appear before the Chamber. On 12 December 2019, the presiding judge declared the closure of the submission of evidence in the case. The closing briefs were filed on 24 February 2020. The closing statements took place from 10 to 12 March 2020. On 4 February 2021, Trial Chamber IX, composed of Judge Bertram Schmitt (Presiding), Judge Peter Kovacs and Judge Raul C. Pangalangan, found Dominic Ongwen guilty for a total of 61 crimes comprising crimes against humanity and war crimes, committed in Northern Uganda between 1 July 2002 and 31 December 2005. On 6 May 2021, Trial Chamber IX sentenced Dominic Ongwen to 25 years of imprisonment.
On 15 December 2022, the Appeals Chamber confirmed the decisions of Trial Chamber IX on Dominic Ongwen’s guilt and sentence. On 18 December 2023, Mr Ongwen was transferred to Norway to serve his sentence of imprisonment.
On 28 February 2024, Trial Chamber IX delivered its Order on Reparations to victims. On 7 April 2025, the Appeals Chamber rejected Mr Dominic Ongwen’s appeal against the Order on Reparations and confirmed the Trial Chamber’s decision.