South Sudanese man freed after 22 years over alleged killing of UPDF soldiers

KAMPALA – Scenes of joy and relief unfolded in Koboko Town, northwestern Uganda, on Monday as members of the South Sudanese community celebrated the release of Joseph Yen Magot Yen, a South Sudanese national who regained his freedom after spending 22 years in a Ugandan prison.

Yen was accused of killing five soldiers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in Suk Agoro in 2003—an allegation he consistently denied. At the time, he was handed over to Ugandan authorities by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), later tried by a Ugandan court, and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Arrested on 12 June 2003 in an area known as Lobone, Yen had since been incarcerated at Arua Central Prison. His release brings to an end more than two decades behind bars—years described by family members and supporters as deeply painful and emotionally draining.

Born in South Sudan, Yen hails from the Jieng (Dinka) community, specifically Bor County, Baidit Payam, Angakuei community, Hol section. Following his release, community members, well-wishers, and Good Samaritans gathered in Arua and Koboko to welcome him back to freedom, offering prayers, encouragement, and emotional support.

Speaking during a reception held in Koboko, Yen expressed gratitude to God and the community for standing by him throughout his long incarceration.

“I am very happy today because of this warm welcome. I thank God for His protection over me during the many years I spent in prison,” he said. “Christians always pray for everyone, including those in prison. I have no other words but to thank God and appreciate you all.”

His wife also spoke emotionally, thanking community members who followed up on the case and contributed to her husband’s eventual release.

“I am very happy that my husband is finally free. The reason you see me crying today is because of joy,” she said. “He was imprisoned when our son was still very young. Today, that child has completed primary and secondary school and is now in college.”

Community leaders who addressed the gathering underscored the importance of unity, compassion, and collective responsibility in helping Yen reintegrate into society after such a prolonged incarceration. They appealed to individuals, humanitarian organisations, and the wider South Sudanese community to support him physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially.

“After spending 22 years in prison, starting life afresh is not easy,” one community elder said. “He needs care, comfort, and support so that he can heal and live without stress or fear.”

The event was marked by prayers and messages of hope, with many describing Yen’s release as an act of grace and a new beginning. Community members pledged to stand by him as he embarks on the next chapter of his life, stressing that he is not alone in rebuilding his future.

Details regarding the specific terms of his release and his immediate plans were not available at the time of publication.

Background to the case

Joseph Yen Magot was arrested in 2003 alongside two other SPLA soldiers at Lobone Displaced Persons Camp near the Sudan–Uganda border. The trio were accused of involvement in the killing of Ugandan civilians around Agoro Market in Kitgum District—an area that at the time was frequently targeted by cross-border attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

Agoro Market was a key trading hub where South Sudanese and Ugandan traders met, but it was also plagued by insecurity and frequent ambushes. Following deadly attacks on traders and killings in nearby Ugandan villages, authorities suspected retaliatory violence and requested the SPLA to hand over suspects.

Yen and the two other soldiers, who had been guarding the Tenten border checkpoint, were detained and transferred to the UPDF amid scenes of grief and uncertainty within local communities.

Trial, appeal, and release

The three accused were held in Gulu as their trial stretched from 2003 to 2010, a period marked by missing witnesses and a lack of conclusive evidence. On 30 September 2010, the Gulu court sentenced Yen to life imprisonment, while the other two accused were acquitted.

According to family accounts, the presiding judge acknowledged the difficulty of reaching a verdict due to the absence of key witnesses, noting that the decision relied largely on the prosecution’s claims rather than fully verified court findings.

The case was later appealed to the Supreme Court of Uganda, a process that took nearly nine years. On 4 July 2019, the court reduced Yen’s sentence to 30 years, recognising the seven years he had already spent on trial as part of the sentence. This adjustment meant he had only a few years left to serve after 2019, ultimately leading to his release in December 2025.