Ugandan authorities have arrested former deputy military chief Peter Elwelu, a three-star general who served as the deputy chief of defence forces between 2021 and 2024. According to military spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi, Elwelu was taken into custody on Monday over allegations of planning to destabilize parts of the country. The military alleges that Elwelu was involved in subversive activities and plans to destabilize a remote part of eastern Uganda, where he was born and raised.
The military claims to have recovered 15 guns, military fatigues, and two pickup trucks from Elwelu's possession. Elwelu could not be reached for comment, and his wife told local media that her husband was innocent. The government has yet to substantiate the allegations against him. Elwelu's arrest comes after Ugandan military chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba accused him of engaging in treacherous activities after his retirement from active duty last year.
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba had ordered the search party to capture Elwelu alive. Last week, Kainerugaba announced that he had stripped Elwelu of his lieutenant general rank. The defence chief also revealed on X the arrest of 20 former soldiers linked to Elwelu. Elwelu, a previous commander of the land forces, had a disagreement with Kainerugaba over military operations, leading to an urgent meeting mediated by President Yoweri Museveni.
The relationship between Elwelu and Kainerugaba appears to be strained, with Kainerugaba being Museveni's son and seen as his likely successor. Just months after Museveni was sworn in for a seventh consecutive term, Kainerugaba launched a presidential bid for 2031, the next scheduled elections in this East African country that has never had a peaceful transfer of power.
Elwelu is being held by military authorities at an unknown location. The military has not provided further details about the allegations against him or the planned destabilization. The incident has raised concerns about the stability of the country and the relationship between the military and the government.
The arrest of Elwelu and the former soldiers linked to him has sparked speculation about a possible power struggle within the military. Kainerugaba's move to strip Elwelu of his rank and launch a presidential bid has been seen as a significant development in the country's politics. The incident has also raised questions about the role of the military in Ugandan politics.
The government has urged calm and assured the public that the situation is under control. The international community has been watching the developments in Uganda closely, given the country's history of political instability. The country's security forces are on high alert, and further developments are expected in the coming days.
Key points
- Peter Elwelu, a three-star general, was arrested over allegations of planning to destabilize parts of Uganda.
- The military claims to have recovered 15 guns and military fatigues from Elwelu's possession.
- Elwelu's arrest is linked to a possible power struggle within the military, with Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba seen as a likely successor to President Yoweri Museveni.
