Statement on the trial of Thomas Kwoyelo

The U.S. Mission welcomes the opening of the war crimes trial against Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) Commander Thomas Kwoyelo at the International Crimes Division – the first such atrocity crimes case brought before a Ugandan court. After years of delay, victims have an opportunity to seek justice, and the defendant has an opportunity to contest the charges.  The U.S. Mission hopes this trial will contribute to justice, accountability, and the rule of law, and we hope that it will help the country in its peaceful recovery from the horrific atrocities of the war in northern Uganda.  We urge the Ugandan government to take steps to ensure justice and accountability for crimes committed during the war in northern Uganda, and in other cases, such as the 2016 Kasese violence, where victims are still waiting for justice.