Retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu, a prominent former military commander in Uganda, has been arrested in Soroti City by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, confirmed the arrest on Monday evening, stating that Elwelu was apprehended following investigations into alleged subversive activities in eastern Uganda. The military spokesperson accused Elwelu of involvement in activities intended to destabilise the Teso sub-region.
According to Colonel Magezi, Elwelu will be charged and prosecuted in court for his alleged crimes. The UPDF also announced that security forces had recently recovered 15 firearms, military fatigues, and two pickup trucks in an operation connected to Elwelu. The military did not immediately provide a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding his arrest or clarify the specific charges he would face.
Elwelu’s arrest follows a series of public accusations by Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who had accused the former deputy army chief of treachery and involvement in activities against the government. The disagreement became public in late October when Muhoozi announced that he had stripped Elwelu of his military ranks, reducing him to the rank of private.
The army chief subsequently issued demands for Elwelu to surrender, warning that security forces were looking for him. In subsequent updates, Muhoozi announced the arrest of former soldiers allegedly linked to Elwelu, as military operations intensified in parts of eastern Uganda. On October 29, he reported that Elwelu’s driver had been arrested and that a vehicle associated with the former general had been recovered.
Before Monday’s announcement, Elwelu’s family had told the media that the retired general was in hiding amid fears for his personal safety. His wife, Patricia Apolot, dismissed claims that her husband intended to organise an armed rebellion, saying he had travelled to Kampala for prayer. Relatives also expressed concern about the military operations surrounding his home and questioned allegations linking him to weapons recovered by security forces.
Elwelu joined the National Resistance Army in 1987 and rose through the military ranks over several decades. He commanded the UPDF Second Division before becoming Commander of the Land Forces in January 2017. In June 2021, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, serving until March 2024. He later undertook presidential advisory duties before retiring from active military service in August 2025.
Elwelu’s career was also marked by controversy over the November 2016 military operation at the Buhikira Palace of the Rwenzururu Kingdom in Kasese. Elwelu commanded the operation, which resulted in more than 100 deaths, according to reports at the time. The incident attracted criticism from human rights organisations over the conduct of security forces. In May 2024, the United States sanctioned him over alleged human rights violations associated with the Kasese operation.
Key points
- Retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu arrested in Soroti City by UPDF.
- Elwelu accused of involvement in activities intended to destabilise the Teso sub-region.
- Elwelu’s arrest follows public accusations by Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
