KAMPALA, November 2, 2026 — The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has arrested retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu in Soroti City, accusing the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces of involvement in subversive activities and an alleged plot to destabilise the Teso sub-region.
The arrest was announced on Monday evening by Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, who confirmed that security forces had apprehended the former senior military officer.
“Renegade UPDF General Peter Elwelu has this evening been arrested by the security forces in Soroti City,” Magezi said.
He alleged that Elwelu had been involved in activities aimed at destabilising Teso and claimed that security forces had recently recovered 15 firearms, military fatigues and two pickup trucks in an operation linked to him.
Magezi said the retired general would be charged and prosecuted in the courts of law.
The announcement brings a new development to a security controversy that has dominated public attention since the military leadership began publicly accusing Elwelu of activities against the state.
Arrest follows accusations by Muhoozi
The search for Elwelu intensified after Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba accused him of treachery and announced that he had stripped him of his military ranks, reducing him to the rank of private.
Muhoozi subsequently demanded that the retired general surrender and warned that security forces were looking for him.
In subsequent updates on X, the army chief announced the arrest of former soldiers allegedly associated with Elwelu.
On October 29, Muhoozi also reported that security forces had arrested Elwelu’s driver and recovered a vehicle reportedly linked to the former commander.
The military operations extended to parts of Teso, including Elwelu’s ancestral home in Aloet Village, Kalaki District, where security personnel reportedly conducted searches.
His eventual arrest in Soroti City was announced several days after the search intensified.
Family questioned allegations
Before the arrest, members of Elwelu’s family had expressed concern about his whereabouts, saying he had gone into hiding because of fears for his safety.
His wife, Patricia Apolot, dismissed allegations that he was organising an armed rebellion, explaining that he had travelled to Kampala to spend time in prayer.
Relatives also questioned reports concerning weapons allegedly recovered during security operations.
The UPDF had not, by Monday evening, publicly released a comprehensive account of the evidence against the retired general.
Gen.Elwelu’s military background
Elwelu joined the National Resistance Army in 1987 and rose through the ranks to become one of Uganda’s most senior military commanders.
He served as Commander of the UPDF Second Division before being appointed Commander of the Land Forces in January 2017.
In June 2021, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, a position he held until March 2024.
He later served in presidential advisory duties before retiring from active military service in August 2025.
The retired general also commanded the November 2016 military operation at the Buhikira Palace of the Rwenzururu Kingdom in Kasese, which resulted in more than 100 deaths.
The operation attracted international criticism over alleged human rights abuses. In May 2024, the United States sanctioned Elwelu over alleged violations connected to the Kasese operation.
His arrest in Soroti now places the former army commander at the centre of a fresh national security and legal controversy.
The military has indicated that prosecution will follow, although the specific charges, his current place of detention and the date of his first court appearance remain to be officially clarified.
