The first war crimes trial of a commander of Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army rebels started on July 11 in Gulu Municipality.

Thomas Kwoyelo appeared before the International Crimes Division court, more than two years after his capture.

He denied 53 counts of murder, hostage-taking, destruction of property and causing injury before Justice Yorokamu Bwamine.

Kwoyelo was captured during a military raid in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo in 2009.

He applied for amnesty, but the government rejected the application.

The court was set up following peace talks several years ago between the government and the LRA.

The government assured the LRA that its fighters would be granted amnesty or they would be tried by Ugandan courts, rather than the International Criminal Court.

By Issa Asuman