In this video, Lady Justice Susan Okalany, judge in the International Crimes Division of the Ugandan High Court, discusses the case of Thomas Kwoyelo, a significant case in the country’s handling of international crimes. Thomas Kwoyelo, a former low-level commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), was charged with numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, abduction, torture, and cruel treatment of civilians during the conflict in Northern Uganda. His trial, which began in 2011, marked the first time Uganda’s International Crimes Division prosecuted a former rebel leader and culminated in his conviction in August 2024.
Lady Justice Okalany discusses the lengthy proceedings, detailing the delays and procedural challenges that hindered progress, including issues of capacity and resource constraints as well as legal and procedural complexities. She shares insights into the valuable lessons learned by the judiciary, particularly in managing international crime cases domestically, including the value of having a specialized international crimes division to hear such cases. The interview also explores reparations for victims, highlighting the needs and desires of those affected by the LRA’s actions.
Finally, Lady Justice Okalany speaks about the future of international crimes proceedings in Uganda, examining the impact of the Kwoyelo case on the judiciary’s approach and its potential to shape a more robust framework for prosecuting such crimes in the region.
TIME STAMPS:
00:19 Impact of the Thomas Kwoyelo decision
00:50 Challenges faced by the International Crimes Division in Uganda and lessons learned
06:43 Value of a specialized division of the Uganda High Court to hear international crimes cases
08:15 Uganda’s reparations framework for victims
12:24 Way forward for Uganda’s International Crimes Division
