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When Ongwen was nine years old, he was taken from his village in northern Uganda and forced to become a child soldier for the infamous rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army, led by Joseph Kony. As a young boy, Ongwen was subjected to brutal treatment and manipulation, but as he grew older, he rose through the ranks and became a feared commander for the LRA. This documentary follows his trial at the international criminal court, where he faced 61 charges including murder, rape, sexual slavery, abduction, and torture. Ongwen is the first former child soldier to be convicted by the court, and this film raises the question of his moral responsibility for his actions.
It is a difficult film to watch, with some intense and distressing scenes. The filmmakers, Lukasz Konopa and Emil Langballe, spent six years capturing footage for this documentary. They effectively expand upon their narrative with informative background information about the ongoing conflict in Uganda, tracing its roots to the colonization of Africa.
The legal proceedings take place in a plain and sterile structure in The Hague, as a prosecutor discusses the matter of Ongwen’s guilt as a non-legal matter. In his final argument, he states that childhood trauma does not excuse someone from committing atrocities. The defence is headed by the charming and poised attorney Krispus Ayena Odongo, who asserts that his client was coerced into his actions.
The filmmakers accompany Ayena on his journey through the stunning scenery of northern Uganda as he collects testimonies. A childhood friend who was also taken with Ongwen agrees to provide evidence. He shares the story of how they were commanded to witness a man being brutally murdered with an axe for attempting to flee after being captured. During the trial, a recording is played of one of Ongwen’s victims, who recalls the heart-wrenching death of her infant in an attack he ordered on a displaced persons’ camp. In my opinion, any discussion about Ongwen’s culpability ended with her heartbreaking testimony.
In other parts of Uganda, individuals question the reason for only the Lord’s Resistance Army being brought to trial – what about the army’s own acts of atrocities? Yoweri Museveni has held the position of president since 1986 and we observe his sixth consecutive win in the elections through televised broadcasts, as he defeats opposition from Bobi Wine, a former musician turned advocate for democracy – who is also the focal point of a well-made film titled “Bobi Wine: The People’s President”. This is a challenging viewing experience with no simple solutions.
Source: theguardian.com
