Fresh allegations have emerged in the escalating confrontation between retired Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Peter Elwelu and serving army chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, with political commentator Andrew Mwenda claiming that the former general had planned to kill the Chief of Defence Forces and seize power.
In a post on X on Thursday, October 29, 2026, Mwenda alleged that individuals recruited by Elwelu had told security officials that the retired general intended to eliminate Muhoozi and take over the country.
“Private Elwelu was planning to kill the CDF @mkainerugaba,” Mwenda wrote.
He further claimed that the alleged recruits had disclosed during a briefing that Elwelu believed killing Muhoozi would clear his path to taking control of Uganda.
“The militia he had recruited have said that in a briefing to them, he said he kills Gen Muhoozi he would be able to take over Uganda. Now he is hiding in the swamps of Teso,” Mwenda added.
The allegations represent a further escalation in a rapidly developing security controversy involving one of Uganda’s former senior military commanders and the serving head of the UPDF.
However, Mwenda’s claims have not been independently verified, and no publicly available evidence accompanying his post establishes that Elwelu planned to assassinate Muhoozi or take over the government.
Elwelu-Muhoozi Feud Deepens as Family Disputes Army’s Claims
The latest accusation comes amid a widening standoff between Elwelu and Muhoozi, who on Tuesday publicly announced that he had stripped the retired officer of his military ranks and reduced him to the rank of private.
Muhoozi also alleged that security forces had arrested more than 20 former soldiers who previously served under Elwelu and that they were cooperating with investigators. Monitor+1
The army chief subsequently claimed that security forces had recovered firearms and ammunition from one of Elwelu’s homes in Teso, warning that the former deputy army chief had hours to surrender before being declared a rebel. Pulse Uganda
The claims have not been independently established, and it remains unclear whether investigators have formally charged Elwelu over the alleged plot against Muhoozi.
Elwelu Reportedly in Hiding
The controversy has been compounded by reports that Elwelu has gone into hiding over fears for his safety.
A relative told Daily Monitor that the former deputy army chief had become concerned about being followed and had withdrawn from public engagements. The family also rejected allegations against him, insisting that he had served the military diligently. Monitor
The reported disappearance has intensified speculation about the whereabouts of the retired general as security-related accusations against him continue to emerge.
Mwenda had previously accused Elwelu of using Christian fundamentalism to disguise alleged plans for an armed rebellion against the state. However, those claims were also not accompanied by publicly disclosed evidence establishing the alleged conspiracy. Pulse Uganda
A Controversial Military Career
Elwelu is a former commander of the UPDF Land Forces and served as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces before leaving active military service in August 2025, according to reports by Daily Monitor. Monitor
He is also associated with the controversial November 2016 military operation against the Rwenzururu Kingdom palace in Kasese, which left more than 100 people dead. The United States imposed visa restrictions on him in 2024 over alleged human rights violations linked to the operation. Pulse Uganda
His confrontation with Muhoozi has therefore placed a former senior military commander at the centre of an increasingly serious dispute involving allegations of rebellion, weapons possession and now an alleged plot to assassinate the serving army chief.
Questions Over Evidence and Due Process
The latest claims raise major questions about the evidence supporting the alleged assassination plot, the identities and accounts of the purported recruits, and whether a formal investigation has established any connection between Elwelu and the alleged plan.
Elwelu’s family has disputed the accusations against him, while the legality of Muhoozi’s announced demotion of the retired general has also attracted scrutiny. Daily Monitor reported that the applicable military law provides formal procedures governing the reduction of commissioned officers’ ranks. Monitor+1
As the dispute unfolds, the allegations must be distinguished from established facts. Neither Mwenda’s latest claim nor the earlier public accusations alone prove that Elwelu planned to kill Muhoozi or seize power.
For now, the reported whereabouts of the retired general, the status of any investigation into the alleged plot and the response of the military authorities remain central unanswered questions.
