Uganda, Jan. 21 -- Thomas Kwoyelo faces more than 70 charges - including murder, rape and the recruitment of child soldiers.

He becomes the first LRA commander to be tried by a Ugandan court, marking a watershed moment for the country's judicial system.

Mr Kwoyelo has consistently denied the charges against him. Thomas Kwoyelo appeared briefly via video link from his Kampala prison for this trial which is now being held in Gulu city, in northern Uganda. This is the same region that was terrorised by the LRA.

Mr Kwoyelo has spent the last 14 years in pre-trial detention, which analysts partly attribute to the scale and complexity of the alleged crimes.

Joseph Kony formed the LRA in Uganda more than two decades ago, and claimed to be fi...