KAMPALA, Uganda — Retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu, one of Uganda’s most prominent former military commanders, has been arrested in Soroti City, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced.
The arrest was confirmed on Monday evening by Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, who said security forces had apprehended Elwelu following investigations into alleged subversive activities in eastern Uganda.
“Renegade UPDF General Peter Elwelu has this evening been arrested by the security forces in Soroti City,” Magezi said.
The military spokesperson accused the retired general of involvement in activities intended to destabilise the Teso sub-region, adding that he would be charged and prosecuted in court.
Magezi also alleged that security forces had recently recovered 15 firearms, military fatigues and two pickup trucks in an operation connected to Elwelu.
The UPDF did not immediately provide a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding his arrest or clarify the specific charges he would face.
Arrest follows public confrontation with army chief
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 the retired general 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.
Security personnel also reportedly searched Elwelu’s ancestral home in Aloet Village, Kalaki District, as the search for him continued.
Relatives expressed concern over his safety
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.
The family’s position contrasted with the accusations publicly made by the military leadership.
His military career and Kasese controversy
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.
His 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.
His arrest in Soroti is now the latest development in a series of events that have placed the former military commander at the centre of a major national security investigation.
The UPDF says he will face prosecution in court. Further details about the charges, his detention and the next legal proceedings were yet to be made public at the time of publication.
