Uganda Arrests Former Army Chief Over Alleged Plot To Destabilise Museveni’s Government
Uganda Arrests Former Army Chief Over Alleged Plot To Destabilise Museveni’s Government
The arrest was confirmed on Monday evening by acting military spokesperson Chris Magezi, who described Elwelu as a “renegade” officer and said he would be taken to court.
Ugandan security forces have arrested former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu, over allegations that he stockpiled weapons and organised activities aimed at destabilising President Yoweri Museveni’s government.
The arrest was confirmed on Monday evening by acting military spokesperson Chris Magezi, who described Elwelu as a “renegade” officer and said he would be taken to court.
Magezi also accused the former military chief of involvement in activities intended to destabilise the Teso region in eastern Uganda.
According to Magezi, security forces recently recovered 15 guns, military uniforms and two pickup trucks allegedly linked to Elwelu.
He further claimed that the former general had been avoiding security operatives over his alleged involvement in subversive activities.
The arrest followed accusations made last week by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who alleged that Elwelu had accumulated weapons and was organising activities against the government.
Kainerugaba had ordered the former military officer to surrender, warning that anyone assisting him to evade arrest would face serious consequences.
He also claimed that security operatives had recovered a substantial quantity of weapons and ammunition from Elwelu’s residence and threatened to declare him a rebel if he failed to surrender.
The military chief further disclosed that 20 former soldiers allegedly connected to Elwelu had been arrested in connection with the investigation.
According to a BBC report, Elwelu’s family has rejected the allegations against him. His wife, Patricia Apolot, said that her husband was innocent and would not contemplate organising a rebellion against Uganda.
“He loves Uganda, and his dream is to have a peaceful country,” Apolot said.
Elwelu previously served as Uganda’s Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and later became a presidential adviser after years in senior military positions.
He gained national attention in 2016 when he commanded a military operation against the palace of the traditional king of the Rwenzururu Kingdom, who was accused by authorities of leading a separatist movement. The operation resulted in multiple deaths.
His military career later attracted international scrutiny. In May 2024, the United States government imposed sanctions on him over alleged human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings attributed to government forces under his command. He retired from the military in August 2025.
His arrest and the allegations against him mark a new development in the unfolding security investigation, with the military saying he will face court proceedings.
Further details of the charges and the government’s evidence against the former general are expected to emerge as the case progresses.
