Kwoyelo Convicted of 44 Crimes
Thomas Kwoyelo has been found guilty of 44 crimes by a panel of judges at the International Crimes Division of the Court, sitting at Gulu High Court Circuit. The verdict was delivered on August 13, 2024.
Kwoyelo, a former commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), faced 78 charges including murder, rape, kidnap, torture, inhumane acts, cruel treatment, aggravated robbery, and pillaging. These crimes were alleged to have occurred between 1994 and 2005 in Pabbo Sub-County, Amuru District. The charges were based on violations of the Penal Code Act, Article 3 common to the Geneva Convention, and Customary International Law.
In the court summary, Kwoyelo was found guilty of 44 offenses. He was acquitted of three charges, and 31 offenses were dismissed. The ruling was delivered in the presence of Kwoyelo, his defense team, and the prosecution.
Justice Michael Elubu, who presented the summarized judgment on behalf of judges Duncan Gaswaga, Stephen Mubiru, and Andrew K. Basaija, commended everyone involved in the trial.
William Biancy, Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, requested six weeks for the prosecution, defense, and victims’ counsels to prepare sentencing briefs. Each party will have two weeks to submit their briefs.
Defense lawyer Caleb Alaka asked the court to order the Amuru District Probation Officer to prepare a social report on Kwoyelo, to request a report from the Uganda Prisons Service on Kwoyelo’s conduct while on remand, and to allow the defense to file a mitigation statement on oath.
Justice Elubu announced that the detailed judgment would be available to all parties by Friday, August 16. A status conference will be held the following Tuesday, after which the case will be adjourned.
Kwoyelo, 49, was born to Jokodino Omona Opoto-tap (now deceased) and Joselina Oyella. He had 11 siblings, of whom three brothers and two sisters have since died. Kwoyelo was abducted by LRA rebels at the age of 13 while walking home from Pabbo Girls Primary School in Amuru District.
