Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has issued a stern warning to former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Gen Peter Elwelu, urging him to surrender to authorities soon if he wants to save his life. Muhoozi also announced the arrest of more than 20 former soldiers associated with Elwelu, escalating the controversy surrounding the retired military officer and raising fresh questions about the circumstances behind the unfolding developments.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Muhoozi revealed that security forces had arrested more than 20 of Elwelu’s former soldiers, claiming that the suspects were cooperating with investigators. However, he did not disclose their identities, where they were arrested or the specific offences they are suspected of committing. The announcement has sparked interest in the nature of the investigation and the possible connection between the detained individuals and Elwelu.
Muhoozi went further by making controversial remarks about Elwelu’s mental state, claiming that the arrested former soldiers shared his assessment of the former army chief. “We have arrested over 20 of Elweru’s former soldiers. They are co-operating well. They all agree he went insane a long time ago. Elweru should SURRENDER soon in order to save his own life,” Muhoozi wrote. The allegations about Elwelu’s mental health remain claims made by Muhoozi and have not been independently established.
The warning has put Elwelu under renewed public scrutiny, particularly because of his previous position among Uganda’s senior military commanders. He served as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces before leaving the position in 2024, having held influential responsibilities within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Muhoozi’s latest statement, however, does not explain precisely why Elwelu is being urged to surrender or whether a formal warrant or criminal charge has been issued against him.
The latest development follows an earlier declaration by Muhoozi that Elwelu had been stripped of his military ranks and reduced to the rank of Private. The announcement has raised questions about the legal and administrative process behind the reported decision, including the authority under which it was made and its implications for Elwelu’s status. Further clarification from the relevant military authorities would be necessary to establish the full circumstances surrounding the purported demotion.
The public exchange has also drawn attention to the apparent tensions between the two senior military figures. Muhoozi’s successive statements, including the reported arrests and demand for surrender, suggest that the dispute has taken a more serious turn. Nevertheless, the precise nature of the allegations against Elwelu and the arrested former soldiers remains unclear, while Elwelu’s response to the latest claims was not available at the time of publication.
Questions are also emerging about the legal status of the more than 20 former soldiers reportedly in custody, the evidence investigators have collected and whether the arrests are directly connected to the allegations involving Elwelu. Although Muhoozi says the individuals are cooperating with authorities, no detailed account of their alleged involvement or the outcome of their questioning has been made public. Their arrest alone does not establish guilt, and the allegations require clarification through the appropriate legal processes.
Attention will now turn to whether Elwelu responds to Muhoozi’s demand and whether the UPDF or other relevant authorities provide an official explanation of the arrests, the surrender warning and the reported changes to his military status. With a direct warning to surrender to save his life and more than 20 former soldiers reportedly under arrest, the situation has developed into a significant military controversy whose next chapter will depend on further official statements and any verifiable legal action.
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