The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) announced on Wednesday that it had arrested Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, the former Deputy Commander of the UPDF, after a manhunt by security agencies. Elwelu was captured in the town of Soroti, and the military alleges that he was involved in activities aimed at destabilizing the Teso region.
According to UPDF spokesperson Chris Magezi, Elwelu had been on the run from security agencies due to his alleged involvement in subversive activities. During the operation, security agencies recovered 15 guns, military uniforms, and two pick-up trucks from Elwelu's possession. Magezi stated that Elwelu would be taken to court to face charges related to his alleged crimes.
Elwelu's arrest follows a series of statements from the UPDF leadership, including Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who had earlier accused Elwelu of plotting to destabilize the country. Gen. Muhoozi had demoted Elwelu from his position as Lieutenant General to a Private, accusing him of planning to form a rebel group to undermine national security.
Gen. Muhoozi released images of weapons allegedly recovered from Elwelu's home in the Teso region, including guns and ammunition. He stated that Elwelu had been hiding the arms in secret and that he had been working with over 20 soldiers who have since been arrested. Elwelu's arrest has sparked a significant response from the Ugandan military, with many of his former colleagues being taken into custody.
Reports from Ugandan media outlets, including Edge.Ug, indicate that Elwelu's home was raided, and a cache of weapons, including AK-47 guns and sub-machine guns, was discovered. There are also reports that Elwelu's wife was arrested, although details of her arrest remain scarce.
Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu has had a long career in the UPDF, joining in 1987 and participating in various military operations, including deployments to Somalia and the fight against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). He has held several senior positions, including commanding the Second Division of the UPDF and serving as the Deputy Commander of the UPDF from 2021 to March 2024.
Elwelu's arrest and subsequent charges are the latest development in a series of allegations made by the Ugandan military against him. If found guilty, he will face prosecution for his alleged crimes. The incident has raised concerns about the security situation in Uganda and the potential for instability.
Key points
- Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, former Deputy Commander of the UPDF, has been arrested on allegations of plotting to destabilize Uganda.
- The UPDF recovered 15 guns, military uniforms, and two pick-up trucks from Elwelu's possession during the arrest operation.
- Elwelu's arrest follows a series of statements from the UPDF leadership, including Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who had accused him of plotting to destabilize the country.
