Retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Fears of an armed insurgence have gripped the Teso sub-region following the arrest of retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu over allegations that he was stockpiling weapons and plotting subversive activities to destabilise the region, raising concerns that the military operation could trigger a fresh wave of conflict in an area with a painful history of rebellion.
The arrest of the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), announced by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has created a delicate security and political situation, prompting regional leaders to appeal directly to President Yoweri Museveni to intervene, calm public anxiety and clarify the allegations against one of Teso’s most prominent military figures.
The concern is that the dramatic manner in which the arrest unfolded, coupled with allegations of an emerging insurgency, could heighten tensions between the security establishment and sections of the local population, potentially creating conditions for renewed instability.
Teso leaders fear that unless the matter is handled carefully, transparently and through established legal procedures, the controversy could develop into a wider regional security crisis.
Historical memories of armed conflict
The anxiety is partly rooted in Teso’s turbulent history of armed conflict, which has left deep scars among communities in the sub-region.
Consequently, reports that a senior son of the region was allegedly involved in assembling weapons and planning activities to destabilise Teso have generated shock and disbelief among local political leaders, elders and residents.
For a population familiar with the devastating consequences of insurgency, the suggestion that another armed rebellion could be taking shape is particularly alarming.
Regional leaders are therefore concerned that the allegations, if not properly investigated and communicated, could fuel suspicion, fear and unnecessary confrontation.
They want President Museveni to provide political reassurance and ensure that the security agencies explain the nature and magnitude of the alleged threat before public anxiety escalates further.
Echodu leads appeal for calm
Soroti City West MP and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs-designate David Calvin Echodu has emerged at the forefront of efforts to de-escalate the situation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Echodu said he had received numerous telephone calls from political and opinion leaders in Teso and across Eastern Uganda expressing shock over reports of a possible insurgency in the region.
He said consultations had commenced with responsible institutions to establish the details and magnitude of the alleged security threat.
Echodu also disclosed that regional leaders had communicated their concerns to President Museveni, seeking his intervention in resolving the matter.
“On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Eastern Uganda, we call upon the population in Teso and Uganda at large to remain calm as we continue engaging the responsible authorities on this matter of public interest,” he said.
He cautioned residents against making inflammatory statements that could unnecessarily alarm communities or worsen the already tense situation.
The leaders are also demanding a speedy and transparent inquiry to establish the facts surrounding Elwelu’s arrest and the alleged arms cache.
Military allegations deepen political tensions
Elwelu’s arrest was announced on Monday evening by UPDF spokesperson Colonel Chris Magezi, who said the retired general had been apprehended in Soroti City following security operations targeting suspected subversive activities.
Magezi alleged that security forces had recently recovered 15 guns, military fatigues and two pickup trucks linked to Elwelu.
He further accused the former senior military officer of being involved in activities intended to destabilise Teso and announced that he would be charged and prosecuted in court.
The arrest followed a public confrontation involving Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the current CDF, who had accused Elwelu of treacherous activities, announced that he had stripped him of his military rank and demanded his surrender.
The public nature of the confrontation has added another dimension to the controversy, with regional leaders concerned that the dispute could be interpreted as a broader confrontation involving influential military and political figures.
Why leaders fear a wider conflict
The greatest concern among Teso leaders is that the allegations could create an atmosphere of mistrust, particularly if residents feel that the matter is being handled without sufficient transparency.
The recovery of firearms and military equipment, if established through investigations, could point to a serious security threat. However, authorities have not publicly provided comprehensive details of the alleged insurgency, its intended objectives or whether other individuals were involved.
Elwelu’s family has also rejected allegations that he was preparing to launch an insurgency, making an independent and transparent investigation particularly important.
For regional leaders, the priority is to prevent the controversy surrounding an individual from developing into a confrontation that could affect the wider population.
Their appeal to Museveni is therefore also an attempt to use political mediation to prevent the situation from escalating, while ensuring that Elwelu’s case is resolved through established legal procedures.
Echodu and other leaders want the responsible security institutions to explain the allegations, establish the facts and reassure residents that there is no immediate threat to their safety.
The military has indicated that Elwelu will face prosecution, but the specific charges and supporting evidence have not yet been publicly disclosed. The allegations remain unproven.
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