Thomas Kwoyelo, a former commander of the Lord's Resistance Army rebel group appears for trial before the War crimes court next month, nearly two years after he was arrest in March 2009.
In July last year, Kwoyelo was first produced before the chief magistrate's court in Gulu, where he was committed to the high court owing to lack of jurisdiction of the lower court.
The prosecution of Kwoyelo was however put on hold, because the War Crimes Court, a special division of the high court created to try suspected war criminals was not yet ready.
At his first appearance before the Gulu chief magistrate's court, Kwoyelo, 37, was charged with 12 counts of kidnap with intent to murder in relation to the disappearance of villagers from Atiak and Pabbo sub counties in Gulu and Amuru districts.
However, the charges were later amended to 12 counts of willful killing, extensive destruction of property and causing serious bodily harm. But the prosecution could not proceed because the court was not ready.
But now, government says all the necessary preparations have been completed.
Alex Ajiji, the registrar of the War Crimes Court told URN that the judges have all undergone special training to enable them preside over the trial.
The court is headed by Justice Akiiki Kiiza, assisted by other judges including Eldad Mwangusya and Lady Justice Ibanda Nahamya, who also served at Sierra Leone's UN-backed war crimes court.
Ajiji added that presently, the last bit of training for legal assistants was being concluded ahead of next month when the court is expected to begin its first trial.
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Ajiji also explained that they plan to hold some of the court proceedings in areas of northern Uganda among the community where the crimes were committed to allow the victims actively take part in the justice process.
Kwoyelo becomes the first LRA rebel commander to face prosecution in a domestic court for crimes committed during the over two decade insurgency. The trial will also test the country's ability to prosecute those accused of war crimes.
Other LRA rebel commanders: Joseph Kony, Vincent Otti, Okot Odhiambo, and Dominic Ongwen have been indicted by the International Criminal Court and face charges including murders, sexual enslavement, rape, enlisting of children, enslavement, cruel treatment, and pillaging, which constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes for their roles in the war.
