The Hague, 24 October 2025

The President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Tomoko Akane, concluded an official visit to Kampala, Uganda, from 20 to 22 October 2025, accompanied by the Court’s Second Vice-President, Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou. The mission aimed to reinforce institutional cooperation and advance the principle of complementarity between national and international justice mechanisms.

During the visit, the ICC delegation held high-level meetings with Ugandan government officials, including H.E. Mr. Norbert Mao, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs; Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Attorney General; Mr. Pius Perry Biribonwoha, Solicitor General; and Mr. Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

President Akane expressed the Court’s deep appreciation for Uganda’s long-standing support to the ICC’s activities, particularly through the work of the ICC Country Office in Uganda. She emphasized that such cooperation is essential to ensure effective accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and related violations under international law.

The President and the Second Vice-President also met with Justice Flavian Zeija, Deputy Chief Justice of Uganda, and Judges of the International Crimes Division of the High Court of Uganda, discussing practical measures to enhance judicial collaboration and mutual support in the pursuit of justice for affected communities.

In addition, the ICC delegation met with H.E. Mr. Leonard Zulu, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Uganda, to express gratitude for the continued and unwavering support of the United Nations to ICC operations in Uganda and neighboring countries. The delegation also conferred with Mr. Andrew Munanura Karokora, Deputy Director General of the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFRI), to explore opportunities for closer cooperation in areas of shared interest.

While in Kampala, President Akane and Vice-President Alapini-Gansou visited the ICC Country Office, meeting with staff to review ongoing activities and challenges. The President commended the dedication of the field teams, underscoring that “the work carried out by the Country Office is vital to the proceedings of the ICC and to maintaining the Court’s legitimacy among victims and affected communities.”

🔸 Background

The situation in Uganda was referred to the ICC by the Government of Uganda in December 2003, and the Prosecutor opened an investigation in July 2004. On 1 December 2023, the Office of the Prosecutor announced that the investigation phase in the Uganda situation had been concluded. Two cases remain active before the Court in relation to the Uganda situation:

  • The Prosecutor v. Joseph Kony (pre-trial stage)
  • The Prosecutor v. Dominic Ongwen (reparations stage)