Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has removed Maj Gen Richard Otto as head of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) military intelligence directorate and appointed Brig Gen Oscar Munanura as his replacement amid allegations that retired deputy army chief Lt Gen Peter Elwelu is linked to an alleged rebellion.
The reported reshuffle comes as Muhoozi announced the arrest of more than 20 former soldiers allegedly associated with Elwelu and ordered the former senior commander to surrender, warning that his life could be in danger if he failed to do so.
In a series of posts on X on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Muhoozi also announced that Elwelu had been stripped of his military ranks and demoted to private.
“The traitor Peter Elweru is hereby stripped of his ranks. He is demoted to Private. Elweru should SURRENDER soon in order to save his own life,” Muhoozi wrote.
Muhoozi also confirmed that security agencies had arrested more than 20 former soldiers whom he associates with Elwelu, although he did not disclose their identities or provide details of the alleged offences.
“We have arrested over 20 of Elweru’s former soldiers. They are co-operating well,” he said.
The military had not publicly released detailed evidence establishing the alleged rebellion or confirming the circumstances surrounding the arrests by the time of publication. The reported appointments of Munanura and removal of Otto had also not been formally confirmed in a public UPDF announcement.
Munanura has risen through the military intelligence ranks in recent years. In March 2026, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, replacing Brig Abdul Rugumayo. He had previously served as an assistant deputy chief responsible for counterintelligence.
His reported elevation would place him in charge of a critical military directorate responsible for intelligence gathering, counterintelligence and security assessments at a time of heightened tension within the army.
Otto was appointed Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security on April 16, 2025, replacing Maj Gen James Birungi. Before his appointment, he commanded the UPDF Mountain Infantry Division, which oversees Ugandan military operations in parts of western Uganda and deployments against Allied Democratic Forces rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
His military career also included commanding the UPDF’s Third Infantry Division in Moroto, serving as Uganda’s defence attaché in Kinshasa and leading Ugandan troops deployed to Somalia. He also served in operations against the Lord’s Resistance Army in the Central African Republic.
The reported removal comes amid investigations and arrests involving several former senior military intelligence officials. In September 2026, former intelligence chiefs Maj Gen Abel Kandiho and Brig Gen Charles Bakahumura were detained as investigations into alleged intelligence misconduct and treachery widened.
Former intelligence chief Maj Gen James Birungi was also arrested before Muhoozi announced that he had forgiven him and ordered his release in October.
Elwelu, meanwhile, was among the most senior officers in the UPDF before his retirement process. He served as Commander of Land Forces from 2017 and was promoted to lieutenant general in 2019 before becoming Deputy Chief of Defence Forces in June 2021.
He previously commanded the UPDF Second Division during the November 2016 military operation at the Rwenzururu Kingdom palace in Kasese, where more than 100 people were reported killed. The operation also resulted in the arrest of Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere.
Elwelu remained deputy army chief until March 2024, when Muhoozi took over as CDF. He was subsequently processed for retirement.
