By Abou Kisige

HIGH Court in Kampala has ordered the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Amnesty Commission to issue an amnesty certificate to former Lord Resistance Army rebel commander, Col. Thomas Kwoyelo.

The ruling was made by Justice Vincent Zehurikize.

Kwoyelo who has been in detention in Luzira Prison since last year, filed an application to the High Court seeking orders to compel the DPP and Amnesty Commission to grant him amnesty and issue him with an amnesty certificate.

The developments come after the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court in Gulu ceased the trial of Kwoyelo last year following a constitutional court ruling that he was entitled to amnesty.

The ICD however, did not order for the release of Kwoyelo and referred the matter to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) and Amnesty Commission.

The DPP, Richard Butera in his November 17, 2011 letter to Amnesty Commission said Kwoyelo could not be released from jail because he had pending charges that rendered him ineligible for amnesty.