The President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Tomoko Akane, has reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Uganda and the wider Great Lakes region during an official mission to Kampala from 20–22 October 2025. Accompanied by ICC Second Vice-President Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou, President Akane met government leaders, judicial officers, and representatives of affected communities from both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Speaking at a community dialogue, President Akane praised the resilience and long-term engagement of victims and civil society organizations that continue to support the ICC’s work. “Justice is not delivered in isolation,” she noted. “It is sustained by the voices and efforts of those who bridge the distance between international institutions and local realities.”
Deepening Collaboration with Ugandan Institutions
Upon arrival, the ICC delegation was received by Hon. Norbert Mao, Uganda’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and Ambassador Mirjam Blaak, Uganda’s envoy to The Netherlands. Meetings were also held with Attorney General Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Solicitor General Pius Perry Biribonwoha, and Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, focusing on reinforcing Uganda’s long-standing cooperation with the Court.
Discussions with Deputy Chief Justice Flavian Zeija and judges of the International Crimes Division (ICD) explored new ways to strengthen judicial collaboration under the principle of complementarity, which allows national courts to take the lead in prosecuting serious crimes when able and willing to do so.
Partnership with the United Nations and Regional Bodies
The delegation also met with UN Resident Coordinator Leonard Zulu, who reiterated the UN’s ongoing support for the ICC’s regional activities. Talks with UNAFRI Deputy Director General Andrew Karokora centered on developing joint training and knowledge-sharing programs to bolster crime prevention and accountability mechanisms across Africa.
Engaging with ICC Country Office Staff
During her visit, President Akane met with the teams of the ICC Country Office in Uganda, acknowledging their vital contribution to the Court’s outreach, investigations, and reparations work. “Your presence in the field gives meaning to the Court’s promise of accessibility and transparency,” she told staff.
A Legacy of Justice
Uganda was the first country to refer a situation to the ICC, in 2003, leading to investigations into atrocities committed by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). While the investigation phase formally concluded in December 2023, two cases remain active: The Prosecutor v. Joseph Kony (pre-trial) and The Prosecutor v. Dominic Ongwen (reparations stage).
President Akane’s visit marks a renewed chapter in the ICC’s relationship with Uganda, one focused on cooperation, institutional learning, and the shared pursuit of justice for victims across borders.