Uganda’s security forces have arrested retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu, the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), in Soroti City following an extensive manhunt over allegations of involvement in subversive activities and plans to destabilise the Teso sub-region.
The arrest was announced on Monday evening, November 2, 2026, by Colonel Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
In his announcement, Col. Magezi described Elwelu as a renegade UPDF officer and confirmed that security forces had finally apprehended him after he had reportedly been on the run.
“Renegade UPDF General Peter Elwelu has this evening been arrested by the security forces in Soroti City,” Magezi announced.
He further alleged that Elwelu had been involved in activities aimed at destabilising peace and security in Teso.
According to Magezi, security forces recently recovered 15 firearms, military fatigues and two pickup trucks allegedly linked to the retired general.
He added that Elwelu would face criminal charges and be prosecuted in courts of law.
“He will be charged and prosecuted in the courts of law accordingly,” Magezi stated.
From Military Command to a Major Security Investigation
Elwelu’s arrest marks a dramatic development in a security saga that has attracted considerable national attention, particularly following public statements by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
In recent days, Gen Muhoozi accused the former military commander of stockpiling weapons and engaging in activities against the government. He also announced the arrest of several former soldiers allegedly associated with Elwelu.
The military chief had previously claimed that additional firearms and ammunition had been recovered from different locations, while Elwelu’s driver was also reportedly arrested.
However, the allegations have faced resistance from members of Elwelu’s family, who have strongly denied claims that he was organising an armed rebellion.
His wife, Apolot, previously maintained that her husband was innocent and had no intentions of destabilising the country. She also disputed reports concerning the recovery of weapons from their residence.
Who Is Peter Elwelu?
Elwelu is a former senior UPDF commander who previously served as Commander of the Land Forces before being appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Forces in June 2021.
He was later replaced in March 2024 and subsequently served in presidential advisory roles before retiring from active military service in August 2025.
His military career also attracted international attention following the November 2016 military operation at the Rwenzururu Kingdom palace in Kasese, which resulted in more than 100 deaths.
With his arrest now confirmed, attention turns to the next steps in the investigation, the specific charges he will face and the legal proceedings expected to follow.
Authorities are yet to publicly disclose the exact detention facility or the date of his anticipated court appearance.
For now, the arrest represents a significant turning point in a developing security matter that has kept the Teso sub-region and the wider country watching closely.
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