Senior NRM leaders have clashed over the arrest of former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Calvin Echodu defending calls for calm and a transparent investigation, while Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara cautioned against viewing the matter through political, tribal or regional lenses.
The disagreement has drawn in former Principal Private Secretary to the President Kenneth Omona, who challenged Balaam’s criticism of Echodu, insisting that leaders from Teso have a responsibility to reassure their communities following reports of Elwelu’s arrest over security-related allegations.
The exchange has exposed divisions among NRM leaders over how to respond to the arrest of one of the country’s most prominent military figures, with the debate touching on national security, regional sensitivities, freedom of expression and the responsibility of political leaders.
The exchange began after Echodu, who is also the NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda and MP for Soroti City West, issued a statement saying he had received several calls from opinion leaders and party officials in Teso and eastern Uganda seeking clarification about the arrest.
He said the reports of a possible insurgency in Teso had shocked residents, particularly given the region’s history of armed conflict and insecurity.
Echodu said he and other senior leaders had started consultations with relevant security institutions to establish the details and seriousness of the allegations against the retired general.
He also revealed that they had informed President Yoweri Museveni about the concerns raised by people in Teso.
“Since last evening, I have been receiving several phone calls from opinion and party leaders in Teso and Eastern Uganda about this matter of grave concern,” Echodu said.
He added,“Aware of our turbulent history, we, together with other senior leaders, have embarked on consultations with responsible institutions to ascertain the details and magnitude of the said matter. We have also informed H.E. the President about the concerns of the majority of people in Teso.”
Echodu, however, insisted that residents should not panic as leaders engage the relevant authorities, calling for a speedy and transparent investigation into the allegations.
“For now, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Eastern Uganda, we call upon the population in Teso and Uganda at large to remain calm as we continue engaging the responsible authorities on this matter of public interest,” he said.
His statement attracted a response from Balaam, who appealed to Echodu and other NRM leaders to avoid looking at the arrest through political, tribal or regional considerations.
Balaam argued that national security matters should be handled with restraint and that leaders should allow security institutions to investigate before making conclusions.
“Dear friend Calvin Echodu and NRM Central Committee member, I wish to respectfully appeal that we approach this matter with the highest level of objectivity, wisdom and statesmanship, and avoid viewing it through political, tribal or regional lenses,” Balaam wrote.
Balaam added that matters touching on national security are particularly sensitive and deserve sober reflection, restraint and careful consideration.
The Local Government minister further defended the country’s top military and political leadership, saying Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba had the experience to assess intelligence and make decisions concerning national security.
“I believe it would be in the best interests of our country to allow an impartial and independent investigation to establish the facts before conclusions are drawn or positions taken,” Balaam said.
He added that leaders should demonstrate maturity and confidence in the country’s institutions, insisting that national interest should take precedence over personal, political, tribal or regional considerations.
However, Balaam’s intervention did not go down well with Omona, a former Principal Private Secretary to President Museveni, who accused him of unfairly portraying Echodu as tribal and unpatriotic for speaking on behalf of his constituents.
Omona, who comes from Greater Kaberamaido, the same area of Teso where Elwelu hails from, said the arrest had frightened residents because of their painful history of insurgencies and insecurity.
In response, he questioned why Balaam appeared to suggest that an elected leader needed permission to reassure his constituents about a matter affecting their community.
“According to you, Hon Echodu, an elected leader of the people, was tribal, unpatriotic, not statesman enough and immature to respond to the happenings in his constituency and region, huh!” Omona wrote.
He said residents in Kaberamaido were seeking reassurance from their leaders after reports that a possible insurgency was being investigated in Teso.
Omona noted that the region was approaching the planting and examination seasons, arguing that residents needed peace and assurance to continue with their daily activities without fear.
“The people in that place got terrified by the ongoing in the national news, aware of their traumatic past, and wanted assurance from their leaders about their community. What then would us, their children and leaders tell them?” he asked.
“Did we need to seek permission from you to calm down our people so they can settle to till their land without fear?”
Omona defended Echodu’s statement, saying it was neither tribal nor politically motivated but an attempt to calm residents while demanding accountability from the responsible institutions.
He also challenged Balaam to explain why calling for calm, a transparent inquiry and restraint against inflammatory statements could be considered inappropriate.
“Finally, let me summarise for you what Hon Echodu called for: calm in the region, speedy and transparent inquiry into the Gen Elwelu alleged subversive activities and caution against inflammatory statements. Are these unwise according to you?” Omona asked.
He further reminded Balaam that freedom of expression and the right of leaders to speak for their constituents were among the principles for which the NRM fought.
“So, my brother Balaam, no one has the monopoly of opinion or even wisdom and to speak. It’s what we fought for, you remember? Hii ni serikali ya wananchi,” he added.
The disagreement comes against the background of a major security operation targeting Elwelu, who was arrested in Soroti City on the evening of November 2, 2026, following allegations that he was involved in activities intended to destabilise the Teso sub-region.
The UPDF, through Acting Director of Defence Public Information Col Chris Magezi, confirmed the arrest, describing the former senior commander as a renegade officer who had allegedly been on the run.
Magezi said security forces had recovered 15 guns, military fatigues and two pickup trucks allegedly linked to Elwelu.
“Lt Gen Elwelu has been on the run over involvement in subversive activities and plans to destabilise Teso. The security forces recently recovered 15 guns in his possession, military fatigues, and two pickup trucks. He will be charged and prosecuted in the courts of law accordingly,” Magezi said.
However, reports have differed on the circumstances surrounding his arrest. While the military announced that he had been arrested by security forces, sources close to the retired general told the media that he had voluntarily presented himself to security operatives at his office in Soroti after learning that he was being sought.
The specific charges against Elwelu had not been publicly spelt out by military investigators by Wednesday, November 4, although Gen Muhoozi had indicated that the investigation involved allegations of treachery.
Elwelu’s arrest followed a series of extraordinary statements by Muhoozi, who publicly accused the retired general of treachery and announced that he had stripped him of his military ranks.
On October 27, Muhoozi announced on his official X account that Elwelu had been demoted from Lieutenant General to Private, a move that attracted considerable attention because of the former general’s senior position in the military.
“The traitor Peter Elwelu is hereby stripped of his ranks. He is demoted to Private,” Muhoozi posted.
The CDF also claimed that more than 20 former soldiers who had previously served under Elwelu had been arrested and were cooperating with investigators.
“We have arrested over 20 of Elwelu’s former soldiers. They are cooperating well. They all agree he went insane a long time ago. Elwelu should surrender soon in order to save his own life,” Muhoozi wrote.
He subsequently announced further security operations, claiming that more guns and ammunition linked to Elwelu had been recovered from different locations. He also reported the arrest of the retired general’s driver and seizure of a vehicle he had allegedly been using.
Muhoozi had earlier warned that Elwelu should surrender, saying security forces had been directed to capture him alive.
Elwelu retired from active military service in August 2025 after serving in several senior positions, including Deputy Chief of Defence Forces between 2021 and 2024 and Commander of the Land Forces.
The retired general previously attracted international attention over his role in the November 2016 military operation at the palace of Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere in Kasese, in which more than 100 people were killed.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Law Society has demanded that security agencies respect Elwelu’s constitutional rights, including access to lawyers, relatives and a fair hearing.
The society’s president, Isaac Ssemakadde, said the former military officer remained entitled to the presumption of innocence regardless of the seriousness of the allegations against him.
The lawyers also invoked Article 23 of the Constitution, which provides for personal liberty and requires arrested persons to be produced before a court within 48 hours.
The Law Society called on authorities to disclose the legal basis for Elwelu’s detention and clarify where he was being held.
For Echodu and Omona, the priority is reassuring residents and ensuring that the allegations are investigated transparently, while Balaam insists that national security should not be viewed through regional or political considerations.
The government and military will establish the facts behind the allegations as calls grow for transparency, due process and calm in Teso.
