Ex-LRA Commander Convicted of Crimes Against Humanity
Ex-LRA commanderCommander convictedConvicted inof UgandaCrimes trialAgainst Humanity
The Facts
The charges against Kwoyelo included murder, rape, torture, pillaging, abduction, and destruction of settlements for internally displaced people, committed between 1992 and 2005.
This case marks the first atrocity trial under the International Crimes Division (ICD) of Uganda's High Court, which focuses on international crimes.
The Spin
Kwoyelo's trial raises complex ethical questions about accountability in cases involving former child soldiers. The defendant maintained he was abducted as a young boy and faced death for disobeying LRA leader Joseph Kony. The long delay in bringing Kwoyelo to trial and the selective prosecution of LRA members while sparing some Ugandan military commanders accused of abuses highlight potential inconsistencies in the pursuit of justice.
