Uganda, April 27 -- Thomas Kwoyelo, a former commander in the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), is facing more than 70 cases of crimes he allegedly committed while serving in the LRA ranks. This week he continued his defence at the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court in Gulu.

Kwoyelo, who claims to have been abducted at 13, disclosed that he experienced a disturbing ritual, the significance of which he has never comprehended to this day.

Three days after his abduction from Pabbo in Amuru District, Kwoyelo recounted that his group, commanded by one Okwera Dulmony, assembled at a homestead across the River Aswa, where a team of men was tasked with preparing a yard. They cleared a platform and carved a giant heart-shaped aren...