By Joseph Kiggundu
KAMPALA. The powerful First Son and Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces [CDF]Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, , has said he has demoted Peter Elwelu, the former Deputy CDF, from the rank of Lieutenant General to Private.
“The traitor Peter Elwelu is hereby stripped of his ranks. He is demoted to Private,” Kainerugaba posted on his X handle Tuesday morning.
Gen Muhoozi also revealed that over 20 former soldiers linked to Lt Gen Peter Elwelu have been arrested and are cooperating with authorities.
“We have arrested over 20 of Elwelu’s former soldiers. They are co-operating well. They all agree he went insane a long time ago. Elwelu should surrender soon in order to save his own life,” he said.
Elwelu, previously sanctioned by the US over the 2016 Kasese killings that left over 100 dead, now faces calls to surrender as Muhoozi asserts Uganda’s control over its security matters.
“Let all the world know that we intend to remain the masters of our own house,” he tweeted.
Gen Muhoozi did not give details of the arrested soldiers or charges, but said investigations are ongoing.
By press time,Gen Elwelu had not publicly responded to the demotion and allegations.
The CDF, in an early morning tweeting spree, also commented about the recent killing of a Rwandan national, Sgt Maj Robert Kabera, in Uganda, pointing to possible involvement by Rwanda National Congress [RNC] elements.
“I hear there was a former RDF officer who was killed recently in the country. First of all, my office was never notified about the gentleman. I highly suspect that certain elements of Kayumba’s RNC were responsible. Are they retaliating for Kandiho’s arrest? We shall get to the truth,” he tweeted.
Gen Muhoozi also talked about the weakening shilling, saying the problem is being worsened by the delay in producing Uganda’s first oil.
“On our currency, I’m not worried at all. The problem is delaying to produce and refine our own petroleum. Mzee is always let down by very well-paid technocrats. They must be working for our enemies. Our PLU government will not let him down from 2031 onwards,” he tweeted.
What the law says on UPDF demotions
Under the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Act (Cap. 330), as amended by the UPDF (Amendment) Act, 2025, demoting or reducing the rank of a senior ranking officer is strictly governed by rigid military law to protect substantive ranks from arbitrary administrative adjustments.
The primary legal standards and rules regarding the demotion of a senior officer include:
- The Competent Authority Principle
Military Court Sentence Only: No officer can be demoted below their substantive rank except by a sentence handed down by a military court of competent jurisdiction. A senior officer cannot be demoted through a simple administrative directive by a superior officer or the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
High Command Confirmation Required: Any punishment involving a reduction in rank for a commissioned officer must be subject to confirmation by the High Command.
- Legal Limitations on Demotion Depth
Floor Rank Limit: The punishment of reduction in rank cannot involve demoting a commissioned officer to a rank lower than Second Lieutenant.
No Stripping to “Other Ranks”: A commissioned officer cannot be demoted out of the officer corps into the ranks of non-commissioned officers or militants.
- Acting vs Substantive Ranks
- Reversion of Acting Ranks: The rules protecting substantive ranks do not apply to acting or temporary ranks. If a senior officer is granted an acting or temporary rank by the Chief of Defence Forces (after consulting the Commander-in-Chief), the withdrawal or expiration of that temporary status is considered a reversion, not a punitive demotion.
Impact of the 2025 Amendment Act
The UPDF (Amendment) Act, 2025, which restructured the military justice system (including Unit, Division, and General Courts Martial), reinforces independent judicial functions within the military. This structure guarantees that any severe disciplinary action leading to a reduction in an officer’s rank undergoes formal court-martial proceedings rather than arbitrary removal.