Uganda has for the first time established an international crimes division that will be headed by a Principal Judge.
The division established in 2008 as the war crimes division, is now designated to be an international criminal court with a minimum of three judges.
The principal Judge now Yorokamu Bamwine shall be in consultation with the chief justice designate, the Deputy Chief Justice, Judges and the registrar of the division.
The international crimes division shall try offences relating to genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, terrorism, human trafficking, piracy and other international crimes as may be provided for under the penal code Act, Chapter 120, the Geneva Convention Act, Chapter 363, the International criminal court Act, number 11 of 2010.
Prosecution of cases shall be in accordance with the provisions of article 120 of the constitution.
The division is scheduled to have its first sitting in the trial session of Thomas Kwoyelo on the 7th of July at Gulu High Court Circuit.
Kwoyelo, 37, was captured in the Democratic Republic of Congo in March, following a gun battle between the Ugandan army and LRA soldiers.
He faces 12 counts of kidnap with intent to murder relating to the disappearance of villagers from Atiak and Pabbo, sub-counties of Amuru and Gulu districts, who were allegedly seized by LRA soldiers.
Kwoyelo is also alleged to have commanded a band of insurgents that raided villages and killed over 100 innocent civilians in Otwal, Oyam district.
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