Uganda arrests Retired General Peter Elwelu over alleged plot to destabilise the country

Elwelu rose to prominence in 2016 when he oversaw a deadly military raid on the palace of a regional king accused of leading a separatist movement. He was subsequently appointed army chief.

Uganda has arrested former deputy military chief and presidential adviser Peter Elwelu over allegations of involvement in activities aimed at destabilising the country.

Acting military spokesman Chris Magezi said Elwelu, whom he described as a "renegade" officer, was arrested on Monday evening and would be charged in court.

Elwelu was “on the run over involvement in subversive activities and plans to destabilize” a remote part of eastern Uganda where he was born and raised, Magezi said. “The security forces recently recovered 15 guns in his possession, military fatigues, and two pickup trucks.”

Ahead of Elwelu’s arrest, Ugandan military chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba accused him of engaging in treacherous activities after his retirement from active duty last year. Kainerugaba said he had ordered the search party to capture Elwelu alive.

The arrest also comes days after Kainerugaba announced that he had stripped Elwelu of his lieutenant general rank and demoted him to a private.

Elwelu has not commented on the allegations but his wife told local media that her husband was innocent, the BBC reported.

Elwelu rose to prominence in 2016 when he oversaw a deadly military raid on the palace of a regional king accused of leading a separatist movement. He was subsequently appointed army chief.

He later rose to become the deputy chief of defence forces before being named presidential adviser.

In May 2024, the US government imposed sanctions on him over alleged human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings committed by government forces. He retired from the military in August 2025.

On Monday, the military spokesman said security forces had recently recovered 15 guns in his possession, military fatigues, and two pick-up trucks.

"Elwelu has been on the run over involvement in subversive activities and plans to destabilise Teso," Magezi said, referring to an area in eastern Uganda.

Last week, Kainerugaba accused Elwelu of stockpiling weapons and organising activities against the government.

He ordered the former army boss to surrender, warning that anyone helping him evade arrest would face "serious consequences".

We have recovered a lot of arms and ammunition from his house. He has hours to surrender before we declare him a rebel and deal with him," said Kainerugaba, who is the son of President Yoweri Museveni, as well as being the country's defence chief.

He also said that 20 former soldiers allegedly linked to Elwelu had been arrested.

Elwelu's family has rejected the allegations.

His wife, Patricia Apolot, told local media that her husband was innocent and could not contemplate starting a rebellion.

"He loves Uganda, and his dream is to have a peaceful country," Apolot said.

Military sources indicate that Elwelu is currently being held at a secure facility as joint security teams finalize investigations ahead of his arraignment before the General Court Martial.