Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has warned politicians against interfering in military and security matters and revealed that attempts to influence the handling of such issues will have no effect and will attract serious consequences for those involved.
Muhoozi’s warning comes amid disagreements among ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) politicians over the arrest of former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Gen Peter Elwelu, with different political figures offering conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding his detention and the government’s handling of the matter.
In a statement, Muhoozi said politicians should stay away from military affairs, insisting that the security establishment would not be swayed by political statements or pressure.
“I have warned politicians in the past from even thinking of interfering in military/security matters. First of all, it will have absolutely no effect. None. Secondly, it will bring catastrophic problems on those politicians themselves,” Muhoozi said.
The warning follows public exchanges between several NRM leaders following Elwelu’s arrest, which has exposed differences within the ruling party over how the security matter should be handled.
NRM Vice Chairman for Eastern Region and Soroti City West MP David Calvin Echodu called for calm and a transparent investigation, saying reports of a possible insurgency in Teso had shocked residents.
Echodu also indicated that he and other senior leaders had initiated consultations with responsible authorities and informed President Yoweri Museveni about concerns among people in the region.
However, his intervention attracted criticism from other NRM figures, including State Minister for Gender and Culture Affairs Balaam Barugahara, who called for the matter to be handled objectively without political or tribal considerations.
NRM MP Kenneth Omona also defended Echodu, arguing that leaders from Teso had a responsibility to seek reassurance for their constituents following the arrest.
The exchanges have put the spotlight on divisions within the ruling party over a matter the military considers a security issue, with Muhoozi now issuing a fresh warning against political interference.
Elwelu, who previously served as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Commander of the UPDF Land Forces, was arrested in Soroti City on the evening of November 2 following a security operation.
The UPDF initially announced that the former army commander had been on the run over alleged involvement in subversive activities and plans to destabilise the Teso sub-region.
At the time, military spokesperson Col Chris Magezi said security forces had recovered 15 guns, military fatigues and two pickup trucks allegedly linked to Elwelu.
The allegations have not yet been tested in court, and the military has not publicly disclosed the specific charges he will face.
The arrest came days after Muhoozi accused Lt. Gen. Elwelu of treachery and announced that he had stripped him of his Lieutenant General rank, reducing him to the rank of Private. Muhoozi had also said that more than 20 former soldiers had been arrested in connection with the matter.
However, a fresh clarification by Magezi on Thursday has now disputed reports suggesting that Elwelu voluntarily surrendered after President Museveni assured him of personal safety.
Responding to a November 5 newspaper report suggesting that the President had guaranteed Elwelu’s safety before he surrendered, Magezi said the former deputy army chief only gave himself up after security forces had closed in on him.
“First, it is misleading to suggest that Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu surrendered of his own volition. This is not true. He gave himself up peacefully because the security forces had closed in on him; there were no viable alternative courses of action at his disposal,” Magezi said.
Col. Magezi himself Colonel dismissed claims that Museveni, who is the Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces, had personally offered the former general assurances regarding his safety.
“At no point did the President and the Commander-In-Chief, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni offer Elwelu assurances for his personal safety,” he said.
Magezi further explained that the President had confidence in the security agencies and their ability to take whatever measures they considered necessary to maintain peace, order and stability in the country.
“The President of Uganda has full confidence in the judgment and actions of the security forces to take all necessary measures, proactively or otherwise, to maintain peace, order, and stability in the country. The President is also a strong proponent for unwavering discipline at all times by members of the security forces including those serving under the Reserve Force,” Magezi said.
The military spokesperson emphasised that Elwelu’s previous senior position in the army would not shield him from accountability if investigations establish that he violated the law.
“Therefore, it should be clear that those who break the laws of Uganda shall be held to account without fear or favour. Accordingly, Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu will be held fully accountable for his actions in the UPDF General Court Martial,” Magezi said.
The clarification effectively places Elwelu’s case before the military justice system, with the UPDF confirming that he will be prosecuted before the General Court Martial rather than being granted any special arrangement because of his previous position.
Although Muhoozi has previously referred to alleged treachery, the military’s latest statement has not specified the formal charges to be preferred against the retired general or when he will be produced before the court.
Lt. Gen. Elwelu’s arrest has attracted considerable attention because of his previous position in the military and his controversial role in the November 2016 security operation at the palace of Rwenzururu cultural leader Charles Wesley Mumbere in Kasese, in which more than 100 people were killed.
He subsequently rose through the military ranks, serving as Commander of Land Forces before becoming Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, a position he held until 2024. He later served in a presidential advisory role before retiring from active military service in 2025.
The military insists that Lt. Gen. Elwelu will face the law while Muhoozi has warned politicians against attempting to influence security decisions, even as political leaders from his ruling party continue to differ over the arrest.
