| Uganda: ICC Meets NGOs, Northern Leaders Over Kony
April 5, 2006
Posted to the web April 5, 2006 Emmy Allio
Kampala The International criminal Court (ICC) last week met religious and traditional leaders and NGOs in northern and eastern Uganda, explaining their mission and strategies. Participants included Archbishop John Baptist Odama, Bishop Onono Onweng and the Acholi paramount chief, Rwot Achana. The ICC held consultations with 50 religious leaders in Gulu on March 20 and 21,
and another with 60 traditional leaders on March 22 and 23. The ICC also met 30 NGOs in Gulu on March 24, 60 NGOs in Kitgum and Pader on March 27, 30 NGOs in Lira on March 29, and 30 NGOs in Teso region on March 31. Gulu district chairman Walter Ochora was pleased with ICC for meeting local leaders. He was, however, angered by religious leaders who insisted that Kony should not be indicted. "We told the ICC that Kony and Otti should be indicted. We feel that through Betty Bigombe, LRA leaders had ample time to end the rebellion peacefully," he said. "When we went to The Hague, we requested the ICC to allow Bigombe time to push the peace process, which she embarked on. But she spent lonely times in Acholi
Inn waiting for a telephone call from Kony. We think Kony has fooled us enough," Ochora said. Ochora's worry is that Kony is planning afresh. Sources said the ICC said it had kept a low profile because it did not want to disrupt the peace process | 
