Ugandan Court Convicts LRA Commander of Crimes Against Humanity

— In a landmark ruling, former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo has been convicted of 44 counts of crimes against humanity, marking a significant moment of justice for victims of the LRA's brutal insurgency in Uganda. This trial, held in the International Crimes Division of the High Court, is the first of its kind in Uganda, focusing on international crimes committed between 1992 and 2005. Human Rights Watch hailed the verdict as a rare opportunity for justice for those affected by the two-decade conflict. Kwoyelo, who was abducted by the LRA at the age of 12, faced 78 charges, including murder, rape, and torture. Despite his conviction, he maintained his innocence, arguing that he was a victim of abduction and that only LRA leader Joseph Kony should be held accountable for the group's actions. His case is particularly notable as thousands of other LRA combatants have received amnesty from the Ugandan government, yet Kwoyelo was denied such reprieve without explanation. The LRA, notorious for its brutal tactics, including the recruitment of child soldiers and sexual slavery, has been responsible for numerous atrocities, particularly against the Acholi ethnic group. Kony, a self-proclaimed prophet, has evaded capture since the LRA was forced out of Uganda in 2005, scattering across central Africa. Observers have criticized the lack of accountability for Ugandan military commanders implicated in abuses during the conflict, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving justice in a society still grappling with the war's legacy.