Uganda: Former Uganda Military Capo Arrested

What the report says

Ugandan authorities have arrested Peter Elwelu, the country’s former deputy military chief and a former presidential adviser, on allegations that he took part in activities meant to destabilise the state. According to the military spokesman cited by Ghanaian Times and distributed by AllAfrica, he was taken into custody on Monday evening and is expected to face court proceedings. The arrest follows a recent move by Uganda’s defence chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to strip Elwelu of his lieutenant general rank and demote him to private.

The report says Elwelu has not publicly responded to the accusations. Kainerugaba, who is also President Yoweri Museveni’s son, had earlier alleged that Elwelu was stockpiling weapons and organising anti-government activity, and warned others against helping him avoid arrest. The military spokesman also said security forces had recovered firearms, military fatigues and pickup trucks linked to him, while Kainerugaba claimed several former soldiers associated with Elwelu had been detained.

Elwelu is a prominent figure in Uganda’s military and political establishment, having risen to prominence after overseeing a 2016 raid on the palace of a regional king. He later served as army chief, deputy chief of defence forces and presidential adviser. The article also notes that the U.S. sanctioned him in 2024 over alleged human rights abuses, and that he retired from the military in 2025. The case matters because it involves a senior former commander and comes amid public claims of weapons possession and alleged plotting against the government.