A Ugandan court on Friday sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison following his conviction on 44 charges, including murder, looting, inhumane acts, and rape. The verdict was delivered by the International Crimes Division in August, and Kwoyelo’s legal team has announced plans to appeal the decision.
Kwoyelo, who played a key role in the rebel group’s brutal campaigns, faced criticism from survivors and advocates who said the sentence falls short of addressing the needs of the victims. Francis Okello Oloya, a psychologist and leader of a project supporting LRA war survivors in Gulu, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling. Blinded by a bomb blast during the conflict at the age of 12, Oloya emphasized the importance of reconciliation, saying, “The perpetrator needed to ask for forgiveness. The victims are left wondering what benefits they will receive from this punishment.”
During sentencing, Justice Duncan Gaswaga stated that Kwoyelo would not be eligible for parole, focusing solely on retribution and deterrence, rather than rehabilitation or reconciliation. The court also highlighted Kwoyelo’s involvement in gender-based violence, with special emphasis on his role in rape cases.
Susan Aceng Oroma, a project officer at the Foundation for Justice and Development Initiative, welcomed the sentence, commending the judges for addressing the severity of Kwoyelo’s crimes, particularly those related to sexual violence. “Given the gravity of the offenses, this punishment is deserved,” she said.
However, Ugandan international crimes analyst Angelo Izama raised concerns about the trial, suggesting that a traditional reconciliation process, such as Matoput, would have been more appropriate. He argued that legal punishment alone cannot achieve the forgiveness and healing that many victims seek, noting, “Kwoyelo has become a symbol of the northern Uganda conflict, but atrocities were committed on all sides over the 20-year war.”
While Kwoyelo now faces imprisonment, LRA leader Joseph Kony remains wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes. His status and whereabouts have remained unknown for years.
