By Chowoo Willy
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has ruled that the confirmation hearing for Joseph Kony, scheduled for 9 September, will not take place in Uganda, despite requests from the Prosecution and Victims’ Representatives. Instead, the hearing will be held at The Hague, following a decision by the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber on 20 February. According to a press release on 17th March, 2025 , by the Defence Team Representing the Interests of Joseph Kony.Jos
The Prosecution had argued that holding the hearing in Uganda would allow the Court to be closer to the victims and affected communities, enhancing their participation in the justice process. The Victims’ Representatives also supported the move, stating it would reinforce the perception that justice was being served. Additionally, the Prosecution maintained that Ugandan courts had the necessary facilities and technology to accommodate the proceedings.
The Office of the Prosecutor has requested that the confirmation hearing be held in Uganda, either in Gulu or Lira City, to bring the proceedings closer to the affected communities. However, the ICC judges have yet to decide on this matter.
To support this request, the ICC Registry was instructed to assess the feasibility of holding the hearing in northern Uganda. This includes evaluating the physical structures of courtrooms in Gulu and Lira and estimating the cost implications of organizing the hearing in these locations.
“We are examining practical modalities to determine whether these venues are viable options for holding the confirmation hearing in northern Uganda,” Maria Mabnity Kamara, ICC Field Outreach Coordinator for Uganda explained. “The judges will base their decision on the findings of these assessments.”
However, the Pre-Trial Chamber denied the request, citing-a significant financial burden on the Court and the judges raised concerns about the risks and difficulties of transferring part of the Court’s operations to Uganda.
Meanwhile, the fate of the 9 September hearing remains uncertain. The ICC Appeals Chamber is currently reviewing an appeal by Kony’s Defence team, challenging the legality of holding a confirmation hearing in absentia—without the suspect having made an initial appearance before the Court. A panel of five ICC judges has been assigned to rule on this matter, which could determine whether the hearing proceeds as planned.
The ICC continues its pursuit of Joseph Kony, the fugitive leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), who has been wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity since his indictment in 2005.
Despite multiple efforts to apprehend Kony, Leonie Van Braun, Senior Trial Lawyer at the ICC, recently emphasized that they remain committed to ensuring his arrest. “We have reinvigorated our efforts with Uganda’s authorities and regional partners,” Van Braun stated. “We will not stop until Joseph Kony is arrested.”
