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A wave of anxiety and high-stakes political maneuvering has swept through
the Teso sub-region following the arrest of retired Lieutenant General Peter
Elwelu, one of the region’s most prominent military figures.
In response to growing public concern, traditional, political, and
opinion leaders across Eastern Uganda have mobilized to advocate for calm,
transparency, due process, and direct high-level dialogue with President Yoweri
Kaguta Museveni.
His Royal Highness Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng III, the
cultural leader of the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU), is scheduled to meet
President Museveni to discuss the general’s detention.
According to Hon. Stephen Ojacor, the ICU Minister for Information, Papa
Emorimor and ICU Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Andrew Ocole are slated to join an
engagement with President Museveni and General Henry Tumukunde as part of a
summit involving traditional leaders. The ICU executive confirmed that
appealing for Gen. Elwelu’s release and ensuring a fair resolution will be
central to their presentation.
In an official statement published on X (formerly Twitter), the Iteso
Cultural Union urged the public to remain calm and prayerful:
"The Iteso Cultural Union has received with concern the news of the
arrest of Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Peter Elwelu, one of Teso’s distinguished sons... [The
Union re-affirms] its commitment to peace, dialogue, and the protection of the
dignity of the Iteso people."
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) formally announced Gen.
Elwelu’s arrest on Monday evening, November 2, 2026. Colonel Chris Magezi, the
Acting Director of Defence Public Information, stated that security forces
apprehended the retired general in Soroti City over alleged involvement in
subversive activities and plans to destabilize Teso.
Military authorities reported recovering; 15 firearms,Military fatigues,Two
pickup trucks
The UPDF maintained that the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces would
be formally charged and prosecuted in accordance with military and national
law.
However, conflicting accounts have emerged. Reports published by the Daily
Monitor on November 3, citing sources close to Elwelu, disputed the UPDF's
narrative. They claimed the retired general voluntarily presented himself to
security operatives at his office in Soroti City. Elwelu’s family and
associates have strongly questioned the allegations, while security agencies
insist investigations remain ongoing.
Born in 1966 in present-day Kalaki District, Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu joined
the National Resistance Army (NRA) in 1987. Over a three-decade military
career, he rose through the ranks to serve as:
Commander of the UPDF Second Division, Commander of Land Forces
(appointed January 2017),Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (June 2021 – March
2024),Senior Presidential Advisor
Elwelu gained widespread national and international prominence—and
significant controversy—for commanding the November 2016 military operation
against the Rwenzururu Kingdom palace in Kasese, which resulted in over 100
deaths. Despite international criticism, he remained a key pillar within
Uganda's military establishment until his recent retirement and subsequent
arrest.
Alongside cultural leaders, regional political leaders are stepping in to
manage the fallout.
Hon. Simon Peter Okwalinga Opolot, MP for Kanyum County and Chairperson
of the Teso Parliamentary Group (TPG), convened an emergency executive meeting
of regional lawmakers to chart a unified path forward.
"The diverse reactions from many Teso people on the arrest of (Rtd)
Lt Gen Elwelu indicate that dialogue is pertinent in resolving
contradictions," Opolot stated.
Similarly, Hon. David Calvin Echodu, NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern
Uganda and Soroti City West MP, revealed that senior political leaders have
initiated inquiries with security agencies and briefed President Museveni on
the heightened anxiety in the region. Echodu urged the government to conduct a
swift, transparent inquiry while calling on the public to avoid inflammatory
rhetoric.
The intense sensitivity surrounding allegations of subversion in Teso is deeply rooted in the region's history. During the late 1980s and 1990s, Teso was devastated by the Uganda People’s Army (UPA) insurgency, which caused widespread displacement, destruction of property, and loss of life. For a region that spent decades rebuilding its local economy and social structure, any mention of renewed armed conflict reopens painful historical wounds.
In light of these tensions, legal practitioners have stressed the
necessity of adhering strictly to constitutional guarantees. The Uganda Law
Society (ULS) issued a reminder regarding Article 23 of the Constitution of
Uganda, emphasizing, the presumption of innocence until proven guilty,
Unhindered access to legal representation and family, The right to be produced
before a competent court within the mandatory 48-hour constitutional window.
As meetings between traditional leaders, parliamentarians, and state
authorities unfold, the people of Teso remain watchful, hoping that dialogue
and due process will preserve both justice and regional peace.
