Thomas Kwoyelo Handed 40-Year Jail Term

The International Crimes Division of the High Court decided not to give Kwoyelo the death sentence or life imprisonment because he was abducted by LRA fighters as a child and turned into a soldier.

The International Crimes Division of the High Court has sentenced former rebel group Lord's Resistance Army commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison.

The court sitting in Gulu found Kwoyelo guilty of 44 charges, including murder, rape, kidnapping and pillaging.

Justice Michael Elubu stated, “the sentence of 40 years meted out to him on charges of murder properly reflects the overall penalty for Thomas Kwoyelo".

Kowelo, a former child soldier, denied all charges that were brought against him.

He is the first commander from the notorious rebel group to be convicted by a Ugandan court.

The LRA led by Joseph Kony carried out wantom killings and maiming of civilians in northern and parts of north-eastern Uganda between the 90s and early 2000s.

One notorious incident was an attack on a camp for displaced civilians at Pagak in northern Uganda in 2004. Dozens of women and children were beaten to death with wooden clubs.

The International Crimes Division of the High Court decided not to give Kwoyelo the death sentence or life imprisonment because he was abducted by LRA fighters as a child and turned into a soldier.

The group was known to abduct children and turn them into child soldiers or sex slaves.

Kwoyelo says he was 12 years old when he was abducted.

The court also said Kwoyelo had expressed remorse and was deemed to no longer pose a threat to society.

Joseph Kony formed the LRA in Uganda more than two decades ago, and claimed to be fighting to install a government based on the Bible's 10 Commandments.

The group was notorious for chopping off people's limbs. Hundreds of thousands of people were forced from their homes by the conflict.

The LRA operated mostly in northern Uganda at first, then shifted to the Democratic Republic of Congo where Kwoyelo was captured in 2009, and later the Central African Republic.

Kwoyelo, who has already served 15 years in custody, now has 25 years left on his sentence.

After 15 years of awaiting judgment, Kwoyelo was convicted on August 13, 2024, on 44 counts of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other serious offenses, including murder, rape, enslavement, torture, unlawful imprisonment, and pillaging, which took place during the protracted conflict in Northern Uganda between the LRA and the government.

Kwoyelo, who appeared composed during the court proceedings, has instructed his lawyers to appeal the sentence.

His attorney, Evans Ochieng, remarked, “We believe there are flaws in the sentence, and we intend to take the case to the Court of Appeal, and, if necessary, the Supreme Court.”

However, some victims expressed disappointment, feeling the sentence was too lenient.

Grace Adong, who was visibly moved, said, “I am not satisfied with that sentence because we were abducted as children and forced into horrendous situations.”

Richard Kerom shared similar views, stating, “At least he would have been imprisoned for 50 years; that would have felt just.”

Justice Elubu also announced separate proceedings to address reparations, which will involve the Attorney General. Victims’ lawyers are expected to submit applications by November 8.

Robert Mackay, lead counsel for the victims, expressed satisfaction with the sentence given to Kwoyelo.

Born in Pabbo, Amuru District, Kwoyelo was abducted by the LRA rebels in 1987 on his way to school. Rising through the ranks, he became a colonel under the command of Joseph Kony.

In 2009, he was captured by the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) in the Democratic Republic of Congo after sustaining injuries in combat.

Additional reporting from the BBC