Retired UPDF General Peter Elwelu has delivered a pointed message to Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, urging him to exercise patience and learn from the experience of older people rather than assume he has seen it all.
In a circulating social media video, Elwelu uses a thought-provoking analogy about age, wisdom and experience, suggesting that young people should not mistake academic qualifications or positions of authority for life experience.
“An old man seated under a tree sees farther than a young man seated on top of the tree. That is important. Where you are sitting today as a young man, that old man was also seated there,” Elwelu remarked.
He further cautioned against the arrogance that can sometimes come with academic achievements, questioning why young people who have degrees and master’s qualifications often assume they have already arrived.
“When you have got education, some young people think you have arrived. You have a degree, a master’s and everything, and you think you have arrived, yet you have not. Why don’t you ask this old man, who has also been there and seen it all? Ask him how he arrived where he is today,” he added.
Although Elwelu did not explicitly mention Muhoozi in the quoted remarks, the video has attracted attention amid the escalating developments surrounding the retired general’s reported manhunt.
His remarks come after Muhoozi reportedly directed soldiers searching for Elwelu to capture him alive, saying he wanted to have a personal conversation with the former army commander rather than see him killed.
The reported directive comes amid claims that security forces have recovered additional firearms and ammunition from locations linked to Elwelu in the Teso sub-region.
There have also been reports of the arrest of Elwelu’s driver and the seizure of a vehicle, as allegations of arms stockpiling and treachery continue to circulate. These allegations, however, have not been independently verified.
The situation has further heightened tensions between Muhoozi and his former senior colleague, who previously served as UPDF Deputy Chief of Defence Forces.
Muhoozi has reportedly announced Elwelu’s demotion to the rank of private, while more than 20 former soldiers allegedly linked to him have been arrested amid claims of attempts to mobilise a rebel group.
The CDF has also reportedly issued surrender ultimatums as the search for Elwelu continues, leaving questions surrounding the retired general’s whereabouts and the allegations against him.
Elwelu’s latest remarks have added another intriguing dimension to the unfolding confrontation, with his message appearing to emphasise the importance of experience, patience and wisdom in leadership.
