Members of the Teso Parliamentary Group have appealed to President Museveni to intervene in the arrest of retired Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, warning that the handling of the former army commander’s case could trigger unrest in the subregion.
The legislators want the government to pursue dialogue with concerned stakeholders, arguing that engagement would provide a better way of addressing the concerns surrounding Elwelu’s arrest and preventing tensions from escalating in a region with a history of armed conflict.
Their appeal follows Elwelu’s arrest in Soroti City on the evening of November 2, 2026, after a security operation linked to allegations that he was involved in subversive activities and plans to destabilise Teso.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), through its Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Col Chris Magezi, confirmed the arrest, saying security forces had been pursuing the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces over the alleged activities.
“Renegade UPDF General Peter Elwelu has this evening been arrested by the security forces in Soroti City,” Magezi announced.
He added: “Lt Gen Elwelu has been on the run over involvement in subversive activities and plans to destabilise Teso.”
Magezi further said security forces had recently recovered 15 guns, military fatigues and two pickup trucks allegedly linked to the former general.
“He will be charged and prosecuted in the courts of law accordingly,” Magezi said.
The army’s announcement followed days of heightened attention surrounding Elwelu’s whereabouts after Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba publicly accused him of activities intended to undermine security in the country.
The arrest has drawn attention in Teso, partly because Elwelu is a son of the region and previously served in some of the country’s highest military positions.
From Teso to the army’s top command
Born on June 12, 1966, in present-day Kalaki District, Elwelu joined the National Resistance Army (NRA), the predecessor of the UPDF, in 1987.
He rose through the military ranks during a career spanning about 35 years, serving in several operational and command positions.
Among his early assignments were deployments in different parts of the country, including operations against armed insurgencies. He also served in the Uganda military contingent deployed to Somalia under the African Union mission.
In June 2013, he was appointed commander of the UPDF Second Division, based in Mbarara, a position he held until January 2017.
His tenure in that command was marked by the November 2016 military operation at the Rwenzururu Kingdom palace in Kasese, where more than 100 people, including women and children, were killed during a security raid.
He subsequently served as Commander of the UPDF Land Forces from January 2017 to June 2021 before being appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Forces on June 24, 2021.
He held the deputy CDF position until March 2024, when changes in the military leadership saw him leave the post.
Security concerns and calls for dialogue
The latest developments have revived concerns about security in Teso, a region that experienced years of armed insurgency, particularly during the Uganda People’s Army rebellion in the late 1980s and 1990s.
The Teso Parliamentary Group’s appeal for dialogue comes against this historical background, with the legislators concerned about the possible consequences of the current developments.
Elwelu’s family has previously rejected allegations that he was organising an armed rebellion, while the army maintains that he will face prosecution over the alleged activities.
The circumstances surrounding his arrest, the alleged weapons recoveries and the accusations against him are now likely to feature prominently in the unfolding legal and security proceedings.
