Guns reportedly recovered from Gen Elwelu’s residence
By Joseph Kiggundu
KAMPALA. The powerful First Son and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has said more firearms and ammunition allegedly belonging to former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Peter Elwelu have been recovered from his home , as security forces intensify their search for the retired senior military officer.
In a post on X on Thursday morning, Gen .Muhoozi said the military had discovered additional weapons concealed at different locations and arrested Elwelu’s driver, while also impounding the vehicle the former army commander was reportedly using before disappearing.
“In our continuing operation to dismantle Private Elweru’s treachery and criminality, we have seized more guns and ammunition he had stashed away in different places,” Gen. Muhoozi said.
“We have also arrested his driver and seized the last vehicle he was using. Anyone who aids this fugitive in any way will face serious consequences.”
Gen. Muhoozi also thanked residents of Teso for providing intelligence to security forces.
“Otherwise, I thank all our supporters in Teso for all the information they are giving us,” he added.
The CDF shared photographs showing several assault rifles, ammunition and a Toyota Hilux pickup truck allegedly recovered during the operation.
The latest developments come two days after Gen Muhoozi announced that security forces had recovered a cache of weapons from one of Elwelu’s residences in Teso, warning him to surrender within hours or face consequences.
“Some of the arms ‘Private Elweru’ was stockpiling at one of his homes in Teso. We have recovered a lot of arms and ammunition from his house,” Gen. Muhoozi said on Tuesday.
“He has hours to surrender before we declare him a rebel and deal with him accordingly.”
Despite the ultimatum, Elwelu remained in hiding Thursday morning, with the army yet to disclose his whereabouts.
The UPDF vehicle Elwelu last used before going into hiding
The latest recoveries follow Gen Muhoozi’s pronouncement on Tuesday that more than 20 former soldiers associated with Elwelu had been arrested and were cooperating with military investigators.
The CDF also publicly declared that Elwelu had been stripped of his rank of Lieutenant General and reduced to Private, although the legal basis and formal process for the purported demotion remain unclear.
The military operation has coincided with changes in the leadership of Defence Intelligence and Security, where Brig Gen Oscar Munanura was elevated to Acting Major General and appointed Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, replacing Maj Gen Richard Otto, who was directed to report to the Human Resource Department for redeployment.
Elwelu, who previously commanded the UPDF Land Forces, served as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces from June 2021 until March 2024, when President Yoweri Museveni appointed Lt Gen Sam Okiding to replace him.
He was subsequently appointed Senior Presidential Adviser on Teso and Karamoja Affairs.
The former army commander also played a central role in the 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 allegations of gross human rights violations linked to the operation.
Meanwhile, Gen . Elwelu’s family has disputed the allegations against him.
A relative told the media on Wednesday that the retired general had gone into hiding because he feared for his life after allegedly noticing suspicious individuals tracking his movements.
“As his relatives, we are wondering what has turned around and why the framing,” the relative said.
The military has yet to publicly disclose the total number of weapons recovered, the specific charges facing those arrested or evidence establishing Gen. Elwelu’s alleged involvement in submissive activities.