Ugandan Court Sentences LRA Commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 Years for War Crimes
In a landmark ruling, a court in Uganda sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison for war crimes committed during the group’s violent two-decade insurgency.
The sentence was handed down on Friday in the northern city of Gulu by lead judge Michael Elubu. Justice Duncan Gasagwa, one of four judges on the panel, emphasized the severity of Kwoyelo’s actions, stating, “The convict played a prominent role in the planning, strategy, and execution of offences of extreme gravity.” He also noted that the victims of the crimes suffer from lasting physical and psychological trauma.
Conviction After a Decade-Long Trial
Kwoyelo was convicted in August of 44 counts, including murder, rape, and other atrocities. He was, however, acquitted of three murder charges, and 31 alternate offences were dismissed. This trial marks a pivotal moment in Ugandan judicial history, as it is the first time a member of the LRA has been prosecuted by the nation’s courts. The case was heard by a special division of the high court dedicated to international crimes.
The LRA’s Brutal Legacy
Founded in the late 1980s by Joseph Kony, the LRA waged a brutal campaign to overthrow the government of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Operating from northern Uganda and later expanding into neighbouring countries, the group became notorious for its extreme acts of violence. Fighters mutilated civilians by hacking off limbs and lips, committed mass killings, and used crude weapons to torture victims.
Kwoyelo, now in his fifties, testified that he was abducted by the LRA at the age of 12 while on his way to school in 1987. Initially forced into the rebel group, he rose through the ranks to become a senior commander, adopting the alias “Latoni” and overseeing the treatment of wounded fighters.
Capture and Legal Proceedings
In 2009, Kwoyelo was captured in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a joint raid by regional forces. The LRA had relocated from northern Uganda to the DRC and other neighbouring countries following military offensives by the Ugandan government.
After his capture, Kwoyelo was extradited to Uganda with a bullet wound in his stomach. He remained in detention for 14 years as the prosecution built its case against him, culminating in this historic judgment.
This verdict represents a significant step in holding LRA commanders accountable and provides a measure of justice for victims of the group’s atrocities.
Source : Swifteradio.com
