Former Ugandan deputy military chief Peter Elwelu faces allegations of plotting to destabilise the country.
The military says the former deputy defence chief will face court after his arrest, while his family rejects allegations of a rebellion.
Ugandan authorities arrested former deputy military chief Peter Elwelu on Monday evening over allegations of plotting to destabilise the country. Acting military spokesman Chris Magezi said the former presidential adviser would face charges in court.
The arrest follows defence chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s announcement that he had stripped Elwelu of his lieutenant general rank. Kainerugaba said he had demoted him to private. Elwelu has not commented on the allegations.
Peter Elwelu faces weapons allegations
Magezi said security forces had recently recovered 15 guns, military fatigues and two pick-up trucks in Elwelu’s possession. He also alleged that Elwelu had been evading authorities over subversive activities and plans to destabilise Teso, eastern Uganda.
Last week, Kainerugaba accused the former army commander of accumulating weapons and organising activities against the government. He ordered Elwelu to surrender and warned that anyone helping him evade arrest would face serious consequences.
Kainerugaba, who is President Yoweri Museveni’s son, also said authorities had recovered weapons and ammunition from Elwelu’s home. He threatened to declare Elwelu a rebel unless he surrendered within hours. In addition, he said authorities had arrested 20 former soldiers allegedly linked to Elwelu.
Family rejects claims against former commander
However, Elwelu’s family has rejected the allegations. His wife, Patricia Apolot, said her husband was innocent and would not consider launching a rebellion. She described him as someone who loved Uganda and wanted the country to remain peaceful.
Elwelu gained prominence in 2016 after overseeing a deadly military raid on a regional king’s palace. The king faced accusations of leading a separatist movement. Elwelu subsequently became army chief, then deputy chief of defence forces, before taking up a presidential advisory role.
In May 2024, the US government imposed sanctions on Elwelu over alleged human rights abuses. Those allegations included extrajudicial killings by government forces. He later retired from the military in August 2025.
