Ugandan Court Sentences LRA Commander to 40 Years for War Crimes

Thomas Kwoyelo, a former commander of the Lord's Resistance Army, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison by a Ugandan court for multiple war crimes. This landmark conviction marks the first time a senior LRA member has faced justice in Uganda for crimes including murder, rape, and torture.

In a landmark decision on Friday, a Ugandan court sentenced Thomas Kwoyelo, a former mid-level commander of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), to 40 years in prison for war crimes. Kwoyelo's conviction marks a historic first in the prosecution of a senior LRA member within Uganda's judicial system.

Kwoyelo was found guilty of numerous atrocities, including murder, rape, enslavement, torture, and kidnapping. These crimes occurred during the LRA's brutal campaign under the leadership of Joseph Kony, which aimed to overthrow the government. The group terrorized Ugandans from bases in northern Uganda for nearly two decades.

Known for their extreme violence, LRA insurgents committed heinous acts such as rape, abduction, and mutilation of victims. The conviction of Kwoyelo represents a significant step towards justice for the victims of the LRA's prolonged reign of terror.

(With inputs from agencies.)