Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), has announced that former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Peter Elwelu has been stripped of his military ranks and demoted to Private, while claiming that security forces have arrested more than 20 of the retired officer’s former soldiers.
In a series of posts on X on October 27, 2026, Gen Muhoozi described Elwelu as a traitor, alleged that his former subordinates had provided information against him and called on him to surrender.
Gen Muhoozi also claimed that Elwelu’s wife had been arrested over alleged domestic abuse, accusing her of physically abusing the former general for eight years.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and no official statement confirming the reported arrests or explaining the legal basis for the purported demotion was immediately available in the sources reviewed.
Elwelu-Muhoozi Feud Reignites as Army Chief Threatens Former General
The latest claims mark a fresh escalation in a long-running public feud between Muhoozi and Elwelu, whose military career included some of the UPDF’s most senior command positions.
Elwelu joined the military in 1987 and rose through the ranks to become commander of the UPDF Land Forces before his appointment as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces in June 2021. He was dropped from the army’s top leadership in March 2024 and subsequently appointed Senior Presidential Adviser.
His relationship with Muhoozi has been strained for years. In December 2024, the army chief publicly insulted Elwelu on X and threatened to arrest him, although he did not disclose the specific allegations behind the threat at the time.
Early retirement and mounting tensions
In May 2025, Elwelu was listed among more than 1,300 military personnel scheduled for retirement. The development attracted attention because of his previous position as deputy army chief and reports of tensions between him and Muhoozi.
Elwelu publicly welcomed the retirement decision, saying he had made his contribution to Uganda and its military.
The latest statements suggest that the dispute has now taken a more serious turn, with Muhoozi alleging disloyalty and announcing the purported arrests of people associated with the retired general.
However, it remains unclear what specific acts of treachery Elwelu is accused of committing, whether any formal charges have been filed against him, or whether the reported arrests are connected to a wider security investigation.
Muhoozi’s claim that Elwelu has been stripped of his ranks also raises questions about the authority and procedure under which such a decision could be made, particularly given the officer’s retirement status. No official military order was available to independently establish the status of the alleged demotion.
Elwelu’s military legacy
Elwelu was one of the most senior officers in the UPDF and commanded the army’s Land Forces before becoming deputy CDF. His military record also includes his role in the November 2016 operation against the Rwenzururu Kingdom palace in Kasese, during which more than 150 people were reported killed.
Muhoozi, who was appointed Chief of Defence Forces in March 2024, has increasingly used social media to make statements about security operations and individuals he considers disloyal. His appointment as army chief also drew public attention because he is the son of President Yoweri Museveni.
For now, the allegations against Elwelu, his wife and his former soldiers remain claims made by Muhoozi. Independent confirmation from the UPDF, police or other relevant authorities, alongside a response from Elwelu, is needed to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported arrests and the status of the former general.
