Gulu — The Lords Resistance Army senior Commander captured by the UPDF on Saturday was one of the seven-man peace team the rebel leader Joseph Kony had assigned to negotiate peace with the government.

The one-eyed Odong Micheal Acelam, who was charged with protecting Kony's family, was captured in Kadomera, west of Palabek in Kitgum. He was captured with two of Kony's wives and three children.

He was captured about 20km from Paloda hunting grounds where he, together with LRA spokesman, Sam Kolo met Internal Affairs Minister, Dr. Rukakana Rugunda, and chief negotiator Ms Betty Bigombe.

During the talks, Acelam was mostly quiet as his colleagues talked to the government delegation. It is not clear whether Acelam's capture will affect the ongoing peace talks but the army defended its action.

"The 81st Battalion was doing its routine duty when they captured Acelam and his group. Those who still want to be in the bush we shall deal with them," said the spokesman of the 503 Brigade, Lt Davis Rwangoga.

Acelam and Kony's family members were transferred to Gulu and were due to be paraded to the press by last evening. As the army captured Acelam, Bigombe was still mediating between the rebels and the government over the general ceasefire draft which a source close to the peace process said was "in its final stages."

Bigombe was not available for comment. Since January, she has met with LRA's Sam Kolo and Onen Kamdulu twice but President Yoweri Museveni has been reluctant to declare another ceasefire to facilitate further talks.

The army said over the weekend that two senior LRA commanders crossed into Uganda from the southern Sudan bases. UPDF spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza said the army had received information that LRA number 2, Vincent Otti and Odhiambo "have entered the country because southern Sudan has become too unsafe for them to stay."

"It is possible they are coming out due to pressure from Sudan after John Garang gave them an ultimatum," he said.