Uganda has arrested Peter Elwelu, former deputy military chief and presidential adviser, over allegations linking him to activities aimed at destabilizing the country.
Acting military spokesman Chris Magezi said Elwelu, whom he called a “renegade” officer, was arrested Monday evening and will be charged in court.
The detention comes days after Defense Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced that he had stripped Elwelu of his lieutenant general rank and demoted him to private.
Elwelu has not commented on the allegations.
Elwelu rose to prominence in 2016 after overseeing a deadly military raid on the palace of a regional king accused of leading a separatist movement. He was later appointed army chief.
He subsequently became deputy chief of defense forces before being named a presidential adviser.
In May 2024, the U.S. government sanctioned him over alleged human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings by government forces. He retired from the military in August 2025.
On Monday, the military spokesman said security forces had recently recovered 15 firearms, military fatigues, and two pickup trucks in Elwelu’s possession.
“Elwelu has been on the run over involvement in subversive activities and plans to destabilize Teso,” Magezi said, referring to an area in eastern Uganda.
Last week, Kainerugaba accused Elwelu of stockpiling weapons and organizing 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 President Yoweri Museveni’s son and the country’s defense chief.
Kainerugaba 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.
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