Thomas Kwoyelo Convicted of War Crimes in Uganda

Thomas Kwoyelo, a former commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), has been convicted of 44 out of 78 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Crimes Division of Uganda’s High Court. His convictions include serious offenses such as murder, rape, pillaging, and torture, committed between 1993 and 2005 in Amuru District. The verdict has been met with mixed reactions from victims, many of whom view it as a long-awaited milestone for justice after years of seeking accountability. Human rights activists have emphasized the importance of this case, marking it as a significant step towards addressing the atrocities of the LRA's insurgency. The court has yet to announce a sentencing date, and both prosecution and defense have requested time to prepare their recommendations regarding the appropriate sentence. Kwoyelo, who denied all charges, is the first senior LRA commander to be convicted in a domestic court in Uganda, highlighting a critical moment in the country’s legal history.