Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced the demotion of retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu to the rank of Private, accusing the former senior military officer of treachery.
In a series of posts on his X account, Muhoozi declared that Elwelu had been stripped of his military ranks and called on him to surrender, warning that his life could be at risk.
“The traitor Peter Elweru is hereby stripped of his ranks. He is demoted to Private,” Muhoozi stated.
The army chief also claimed that security forces had arrested more than 20 soldiers who previously served under Elwelu, adding that they were cooperating with authorities.
“We have arrested over 20 of Elweru’s former soldiers. They are co-operating well. They all agree he went insane a long time ago. Elweru should SURRENDER soon in order to save his own life,” Muhoozi posted.
In another post, Muhoozi alleged that Elwelu’s wife had also been arrested over accusations of domestic abuse.
“We have also arrested Elweru’s wife who has been beating him for the last 8 years. That’s why he always looked confused in Parliament. Domestic abuse,” he wrote.
The allegations, including the reported arrests and the circumstances surrounding Elwelu’s demotion, have not been independently verified.
Who Is Peter Elwelu?
Lieutenant General (Rtd) Peter Elwelu is a former senior officer in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) who joined the military in 1987 and rose through its ranks over several decades.
He served as Commander of Land Forces from 2017 to 2021 before being appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Forces in June 2021, a position he held until March 2024.
In February 2019, Elwelu was promoted from Major General to Lieutenant General, reflecting his rise to one of the highest ranks in the Ugandan military.
He also served as a representative of the army in Uganda’s Parliament before retiring from active military service in 2025 alongside other senior UPDF officers.
Muhoozi’s reported announcement is therefore significant because Elwelu had attained the rank of Lieutenant General before his retirement. However, the legal and administrative implications of the announced demotion, particularly given his retired status, remain unclear.
Further clarification from the UPDF would be necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the announcement and the status of the reported arrests.
