Ugandan Court Orders Reparations for Victims of LRA Commander Kwoyelo
A Ugandan court has ordered the government to pay up to $2,740 to each victim of convicted Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo. In October, Kwoyelo was sentenced to 40 years in prison for war crimes, including murder, rape, slavery and torture. But due to his “indigent” status, the court found that he could not compensate the victims. The court therefore held the government accountable for failing to protect citizens from LRA atrocities. Additional compensation was awarded for property damage and theft caused by Kwoyelo’s actions. The Lord’s Resistance Army, led by Joseph Kony, has terrorized Uganda for two decades, committing heinous acts of kidnapping and mutilation. After fleeing to the jungles of neighboring countries, remnants of the group remain active, although their strength has waned. Kwoyelo, who was arrested in 2009, became the first senior member of the Lord’s Resistance Army to be convicted in Uganda, marking an important milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victims.
source: Reuters
