A cache of arms reportedly recovered from Elwelu’s residence
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Falling out of grace with the military leadership, retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu is facing intensified security operations after the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) reportedly recovered multiple caches of firearms and ammunition from his properties and arrested his driver.
The operations, led by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, began with a raid on one of Elwelu’s residences in the Teso sub-region on October 27, 2026, before yielding additional weapons from other locations in subsequent searches.
Gen Muhoozi announced on October 29 that security forces had discovered more firearms and ammunition concealed at different locations, suggesting that the search for weapons linked to the former deputy army chief was continuing.
The developments come amid mounting pressure on Elwelu to surrender to military authorities, with Muhoozi publicly describing him as a fugitive and traitor and threatening to declare him a rebel if he fails to comply.
However, the allegations surrounding the weapons and their connection to any alleged criminal activity have not been independently verified, and the circumstances under which the firearms were stored remain unclear from the information made public.
Weapons Recovered in Teso Raid
The initial operation took place on October 27, when Gen Muhoozi announced that military Special Forces had raided one of Elwelu’s residences in the Teso sub-region.
According to the CDF’s public statements, the operation uncovered a substantial stockpile of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, sub-machine guns, ammunition belts and magazines.
The discovery prompted further security operations targeting other locations reportedly associated with the retired general.
By October 29, Muhoozi said the ongoing searches had resulted in the recovery of additional firearms and ammunition concealed in different places. He did not publicly identify all the locations where the subsequent discoveries were made or provide a complete inventory of the recovered items.
The latest seizures have intensified scrutiny of Elwelu, who previously occupied senior positions in the UPDF, including commander of the Land Forces and deputy CDF.
The military has not publicly provided a detailed account explaining the intended use of the recovered weapons or presented independently verified evidence linking them to a planned armed rebellion.
Driver Arrested as Security Operations Widen
The military operation has also resulted in the arrest of Elwelu’s driver, while security forces impounded the last vehicle the former deputy army chief was reportedly known to be using.
Authorities have not publicly identified the driver or disclosed the specific charges, if any, against him. It also remains unclear what information investigators believe he could provide concerning Elwelu’s whereabouts or the reported weapons discoveries.
The driver’s arrest follows earlier claims by Gen Muhoozi that more than 20 former soldiers who served under Elwelu had been taken into custody and were cooperating with investigators. The CDF also announced the reported arrest of Elwelu’s wife, although details surrounding her detention have not been independently established.
The expanding arrests suggest that the investigation is reaching people within the retired general’s former military and personal circles. However, the authorities have not publicly explained the alleged involvement of each detainee or established whether all the arrests are connected to the weapons recovery.
Muhoozi Issues Ultimatum
Elwelu was reportedly absent when security forces conducted the initial raid, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
A relative told Daily Monitor that the retired general had gone into hiding because he feared for his safety, claiming that surveillance and security operations had intensified around his residences. The family has also questioned the accusations against him, describing the developments as an attempt to undermine his military legacy.
Gen Muhoozi, meanwhile, has continued demanding that Elwelu surrender, warning that he could be declared a rebel if he fails to comply.
The CDF also announced that the retired officer had been stripped of his military ranks and reduced from Lieutenant General to Private. However, the legal status of that declaration remains unclear, with no formal military order independently establishing that the purported demotion has been completed.
The confrontation has raised questions about the evidence supporting the allegations, the circumstances surrounding the reported weapons discoveries and the procedures governing the treatment of a retired senior officer.
Elwelu previously served as commander of the UPDF Land Forces and deputy CDF before being removed from the latter position in March 2024 and appointed senior presidential adviser on Teso and Karamoja affairs.
His military career also attracted international scrutiny over the November 2016 operation at the Rwenzururu Kingdom palace in Kasese, where more than 100 people were killed. The United States subsequently imposed visa restrictions on him over alleged human rights violations linked to the operation.
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