Delayed Justice: Ugandan LRA Rebel Commander Thomas Kwoyelo, Found Guilty of War Crimes

A Ugandan court has found Thomas Kwoyelo, a former commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), guilty of multiple war crimes and crimes against humanity after a 15-year delay. This case, tried by the international crimes division of the high court in Gulu, marks the first time Uganda has prosecuted an LRA member, making it a historic moment for the country.

Kwoyelo was convicted of 44 offences, including murder and rape, though he was acquitted of three counts of murder, and 31 alternate charges were dismissed. The trial was controversial, with some advocating for his release due to the long pre-trial detention and the fact that others have been granted amnesty. However, victims argued Kwoyelo should be held accountable for his involvement in killings and torture.

Who is Thomas Kwoyelo? Kwoyelo, in his fifties, was a low-level LRA commander responsible for caring for the militia’s injured members. He was abducted by the LRA at age 12 in 1987 and later became a senior commander. Captured in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2009, he spent 14 years in prison as the prosecution built its case. He was accused of numerous war crimes, including murder, rape, and torture.

Who is Joseph Kony and What is the LRA? Joseph Kony founded the LRA in 1987 to overthrow Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The LRA terrorized northern Uganda, with its members known for brutal tactics, including abducting tens of thousands of children as sex slaves or soldiers. The conflict displaced millions across Uganda and neighboring countries. Kony, wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2005, remains at large. In 2021, former LRA commander Dominic Ongwen was sentenced to 25 years in prison by the ICC.

Amnesty and Peace Talks In 2000, Uganda offered amnesty to LRA members who surrendered, leading many former child soldiers to return home. Despite a ceasefire agreement in 2006, the LRA’s rebellion persisted. Kony, however, refused amnesty, denying any atrocities. The LRA has since been designated as a terror group by the UN, US, UK, and EU. The group’s forces have dwindled, and Kony’s whereabouts remain unknown.

Perpetrator and Victim? In northern Uganda, many former LRA members live freely after accepting the 2000 amnesty. However, some, including the UN high commissioner for human rights, argue that amnesty hinders justice for war crimes. While Kwoyelo’s defense argued he was also a victim, abducted as a child, victims of his actions have pushed for his sentencing. Rights groups criticized the lengthy detention, urging the court to expedite the case and deliver justice.

Human Rights Watch called on the court to ensure justice for Kwoyelo’s victims.