By Uziah Tusaasire
Retired Lt Gen Peter Elwelu is a former senior Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer who rose through the ranks to become Deputy Chief of Defence Forces.
His military career spanned nearly four decades, with deployments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, northern Uganda and Somalia.
Military career
Elwelu, who hails from the Teso sub-region, joined the military in 1987 and underwent training in Tanzania and Uganda.
In 2007, he commanded Uganda’s first military contingent deployed to Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
He later commanded the UPDF 3rd Division in Moroto and the 2nd Division in Mbarara before becoming Commander of Land Forces in January 2017.
In June 2021, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, serving until March 2024. He subsequently took up presidential advisory responsibilities before retiring in 2025.
The 2016 Kasese palace raid
Elwelu attracted national and international attention in November 2016 when he commanded the military operation at the Buhikira Palace of Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere in Kasese.
The operation followed clashes involving security forces and suspected royal guards. More than 100 people died during the palace assault, while Human Rights Watch documented at least 153 deaths across the wider clashes of November 26–27.
The incident attracted criticism from human rights organisations and raised questions about the use of force and accountability.
In May 2024, the United States imposed entry restrictions on Elwelu, citing his involvement in gross human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings committed by UPDF personnel under his command.
Fallout and arrest in Soroti
Elwelu recently attracted renewed attention after Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba publicly accused him of disloyalty and announced his demotion to Private. Questions remain over the formal status of that announcement.
On November 2, 2026, UPDF spokesperson Col Chris Magezi announced Elwelu’s arrest in Soroti City over allegations of involvement in subversive activities.
Magezi said security forces had recovered 15 guns, military fatigues and two pickup trucks allegedly linked to Elwelu.
His family has rejected the allegations, including claims that he was planning a rebellion.
While the UPDF described the development as an arrest, sources quoted by Daily Monitor said Elwelu voluntarily presented himself to security operatives.
Calls for due process
The arrest has drawn reactions from leaders in Teso, with calls for calm and transparent investigations.
The Uganda Law Society has also demanded respect for Elwelu’s constitutional rights, including access to legal representation and a fair hearing.
As of November 3, authorities had announced plans to prosecute him, but no formal court appearance had been publicly confirmed.
