Retired Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu is detained at Makindye Military Barracks in Kampala and sources say he is expected to meet the President following his arrest in Soroti over allegations of subversive activities.
Elwelu was arrested on Monday in Soroti City and transferred to Mbuya Military Headquarters, before being taken to Makindye Barracks, where sources say he is being held ahead of an unconfirmed meeting with President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief.
Senior Presidential Advisor, Charles Elasu, says that he contacted army officials and was told the General is okay. The presidential advisor says Elwelu was given a three-bedroom house in Makindye where he is staying, and was also given his own cook, whom he chose himself.
Elasu’s comments match what other security sources at Mbuya Military Headquarters said on condition of anonymity. They said the embattled General is being held in Makindye Barracks, where most senior army officials are detained before being taken to the General Court Martial.
However, military investigations involving retired or serving army officers can take years before prosecution. A recent example is former intelligence chief Gen. James Birungi, who was arrested in August 2025 and only appeared in the Court Martial in July this year.It remains to be seen whether Elwelu will face the same fate.
Elwelu, who commanded Uganda’s first-ever military contingent to Somalia under AMISOM, is facing allegations of subversive activities, which his family denies. Sources close to the family told URN that he is expected to meet the President to help throw light on the allegations against him.
When URN contacted Magezi about the detention and charges against the former Deputy CDF, he said he was still busy and could not comment. However, other security sources confirmed the transfer, which happened after several hours of detention at Ateker Villa Hotel in Gulu City, after he agreed to hand himself over.
Elwelu, born on June 12, 1966 in Kalaki District, which was then part of Soroti, joined the army in 1987, just a year after the NRA took power. He trained at the Tanzania Military Academy in Monduli. He was later posted to Kabamba and then to Jinja.
In 2007, he led Uganda’s first contingent to Somalia under AMISOM. From there, his career grew fast. He commanded the 3rd Division in Moroto and the 2nd Division in Mbarara. In 2013, he was appointed commander of the 2nd Division.
In January 2017, he was appointed Commander of Land Force, before being promoted to Lieutenant General in February 2019, and in June 2021, he became Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, the second-highest office in the UPDF.
In November 2016, he had, as commander of the 2nd Division, he led the operation that attacked the Rwenzururu palace in Kasese. Over 100 people were reportedly killed, including royal guards. Later, when he was sworn in as UPDF MP, he defended his actions, saying the people who died deserved what they got. In May 2024, the US government banned him from travelling to America over alleged extrajudicial killings.
In March 2024, President Museveni changed the army leadership. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba was appointed CDF, while Elwelu was dropped as his deputy and appointed Presidential Adviser for Teso and Karamoja.
He retired in August 2025 after 39 years in service. At retirement, he said he had forgiven all his enemies and would now preach the word of God. He had started farming and preaching on TikTok.
His quiet retirement ended last month.
On October 27, Gen. Muhoozi posted on X that Elwelu was a traitor and had been demoted to Private. He ordered his arrest and claimed guns had been found at his home. He also ordered the arrest of Elwelu’s wife and about 20 former soldiers.
What the law say
Elwelu retired from active service in August 2025 and is now a member of the UPDF Reserve Force. That means he is still subject to military law. It remains unclear whether the allegations against him, the suspected involvement of accomplices, or the recovery of government military stores form the basis of the military investigation against him.
But Section 127 of the UPDF Act is clear on what counts as treachery. It says a person subject to military law commits treachery if, for a purpose that harms Uganda’s security or interests, he infiltrates the Defence Forces or acts as an agent of a foreign power or any force engaged in war or war-like activities against the Government.A person convicted of treachery is liable to suffer death.
For now, Elwelu remains in detention as the military investigates, and as the country waits to see whether he will face the Court Martial and what charges, if any, will be brought against him