Retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I After being netted following more than two weeks of intensive security operations, retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu is being held at Makindye Military Barracks in Kampala as the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) investigates his alleged involvement in rebel recruitment and other subversive activities.
The whereabouts of the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) were confirmed by the current Deputy CDF, Lt Gen Samuel Okiding, who disclosed during a radio talk show on Etop Radio in Soroti City that Elwelu was in military custody and was safe.
Okiding explained that security operatives eventually tracked down Elwelu at Ateker Villas Hotel in Soroti, where he was arrested before being transported to Kampala and detained at Makindye Military Barracks.
His disclosure puts to rest some of the uncertainty surrounding the whereabouts of the retired general, whose arrest in Soroti sent shockwaves across the Teso sub-region and triggered anxiety among local political and cultural leaders.
According to Okiding, security agencies had spent more than two weeks searching for Elwelu before finally locating him in Soroti.
The operation culminated in his arrest at the hotel, from where he was transferred to the military facility in Kampala for further investigations.
Okiding describes detention as his worst nightmare
In an unusually emotional revelation, Okiding described the decision to detain his former senior colleague as one of the most difficult experiences of his military career.
“The order to detain Gen Elwelu was my worst nightmare,” Okiding reportedly said, acknowledging the sensitivity surrounding the operation.
He explained that although the military had a responsibility to investigate allegations against Elwelu, ensuring his personal safety was the overriding consideration during the arrest.
The Deputy CDF said security agencies were particularly concerned about protecting the retired general from possible harm during the operation, given the tensions surrounding his arrest and his influence in the Teso region.
His remarks suggest that the military leadership was aware that Elwelu’s detention could provoke strong reactions, particularly among communities and political supporters who regard him as an influential figure.
Okiding nevertheless maintained that the security operation had to proceed because of the allegations under investigation.
Family and associates allowed to visit
The Deputy CDF also sought to dispel concerns about Elwelu’s welfare, confirming that the retired general was safe at Makindye Military Barracks.
He further disclosed that his family members, friends and political associates had been permitted to visit him at the detention facility.
The access granted to his relatives and associates appears intended to reassure the public that Elwelu has not been isolated from his immediate support network despite being held in military custody.
However, the military has not publicly provided a detailed account of the investigations, including the specific evidence linking the retired general to the alleged recruitment of rebels or the nature of the subversive activities being investigated.
It also remains unclear how long the investigations will take or whether Elwelu will subsequently be charged before a civilian or military court.
Arrest raises political temperatures in Teso
Elwelu’s detention has generated considerable political and security anxiety in the Teso sub-region, where he commands significant influence because of his military background and connections.
Following his arrest in Soroti, several regional leaders appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to intervene and ensure that the matter was handled carefully to avoid escalating tensions.
The concerns have partly been driven by fears that the arrest could be interpreted by some sections of the community as targeting an influential son of the region, potentially creating resentment towards security agencies.
Elwelu previously served as Deputy CDF before his retirement, making him one of the most prominent former military officers from the region.
His military career also attracted controversy, particularly over his role in the 2016 UPDF assault on the Kasese-based Rwenzururu royal palace, an operation that resulted in numerous deaths and attracted widespread criticism.
The current allegations involving possible rebel recruitment and subversive activities therefore place another serious cloud over his military legacy.
UPDF faces questions over investigations
While Okiding’s disclosure has clarified where Elwelu is being held, several questions remain about the circumstances surrounding his detention and the evidence underpinning the allegations.
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