Kampala- The trial of a former Ugandan health minister, his two deputies and a presidential aide accused of embezzling millions of dollars of international aid got under way in Kampala Friday.

Former health minister and army general Jim Muhwezi and his co-accused are charged with misappropriating two million dollars from funds provided by the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI).

The three health officials are also implicated in another case involving the theft of up to 45 million dollars from the Global Fund, which was created to finance the fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

A government investigation into the case in 2004 recommended that the minister and his deputies be charged, but this is the first time formal proceedings have been brought. (dpa)