A relative of retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu has revealed that the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) has gone into hiding over fears for his personal safety following public statements by military chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Elwelu became increasingly worried after allegedly noticing unfamiliar individuals tracking his movements following Uganda’s general elections.
According to the family member, the retired general’s security concerns began before Muhoozi’s latest remarks on social media, although it remains unclear whether the alleged surveillance was connected to the military leadership.
Muhoozi has publicly described Elwelu as a “traitor” and claimed to have demoted him to the rank of Private. The CDF also threatened to declare the retired officer a rebel if he failed to surrender.
The statements have triggered public interest in Elwelu’s whereabouts and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his reported disappearance from public view.
However, the relative did not identify the individuals allegedly following Elwelu or provide evidence linking them to the military.
Elwelu is a former senior Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) commander who served as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces before retiring from active military service. During his military career, he held influential command positions within the army.
His current situation has attracted attention because of the public nature of the accusations against him and Muhoozi’s threat to treat him as a rebel if he does not surrender.
It remains unclear what specific allegations prompted Muhoozi to describe Elwelu as a traitor. There has also been no independent confirmation that the retired general has been formally demoted or officially declared a rebel.
Elwelu’s current whereabouts, the existence of any formal military or legal proceedings against him, and his response to the accusations remain unknown.
Further clarification from the UPDF, Elwelu or his representatives would help establish the circumstances surrounding his reported disappearance and the nature of the dispute.
