AGREEMENT? Peter Elwelu and Muhoozi Strike Sejusa-Like Deal — Ofwono Opondo Suggests as Senior Teso Leaders Consult Museveni

Former government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo has suggested that the ‘arrest’ of former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Lt Gen Peter Elwelu could be part of a negotiated truce similar to the arrangement involving former intelligence chief Gen David Sejusa, who fled Uganda more than a decade ago before eventually returning.

Opondo, who now represents elders of eastern Uganda in Parliament, said the developments surrounding Elwelu should not necessarily be interpreted as the beginning of a confrontation between the military and the former deputy army chief.

“I can confirm [that he surrendered — and was not arrested as reported]. A truce actually, although some of the tin-heads would like to portray otherwise,” Opondo said.

He added that the situation appeared to follow a playbook similar to that of another senior Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) general who briefly fled to the United Kingdom and the United States before attracting international media attention.

“It’s a playbook similar to that of another UPDF General who briefly fled to the UK and US appearing on multiple international media thirteen years ago,” he said.

“More like a truce, actually.”

Opondo’s remarks come amid growing political and security concerns in the Teso sub-region following Elwelu’s arrest in Soroti City on November 2, 2026, over alleged security-related activities and plans to destabilise the region.

The former deputy CDF’s ‘arrest’ has triggered consultations among political and opinion leaders in eastern Uganda, with senior leaders reaching out to President Yoweri Museveni over concerns about reports of a possible insurgency in Teso.

Junior Foreign Affairs Minister designate and National Resistance Movement (NRM) vice chairman for eastern Uganda Calvin Echodu said leaders in the region had begun engaging responsible institutions to establish the circumstances surrounding Elwelu’s arrest and the allegations against him.

“Last evening we received news of the arrest of our brother Lt Gen Peter Elwelu over security related allegations by UPDF. The news of a possible insurgency brewing in Teso have taken many people in the region by shock,” Echodu said.

He said the reports had prompted numerous calls from political and opinion leaders seeking clarification about the security situation.

“Since last evening, I have been receiving several phone calls from several opinion and Party leaders in Teso and Eastern Uganda about this matter of grave concern,” he said.

Echodu added that he and other senior leaders had begun consultations with security and government institutions while also informing Museveni of the concerns expressed by people in the region.

“Aware of our turbulent history, We Together with other senior leaders, have embarked on a consultation with responsible institutions to ascertain the details and magnitude of the said matter. We have also informed H.E the President about the concerns of the majority of people in Teso,” he said.

The consultations come against the backdrop of Elwelu’s long military career, which included his service as commander of the UPDF’s Special Forces Command before his appointment as deputy CDF.

Elwelu rose to national prominence during the 2016 military operation against the royal guards of the Rwenzururu Kingdom in Kasese, in which scores of people were killed and hundreds arrested.

He was later promoted to lieutenant general and appointed deputy CDF, serving under Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba before his retirement from active military service.

The latest developments have also drawn attention to the relationship between Elwelu and Muhoozi, who is the current CDF and Museveni’s son.

Opondo’s comparison with Sejusa points to the possibility of an understanding being reached behind the scenes, although neither the UPDF nor the government has publicly confirmed that Elwelu’s arrest or surrender is part of a negotiated arrangement.

Sejusa, formerly known as David Tinyefuza, was one of the most prominent military officers to fall out with the Museveni government over allegations surrounding plans for a political transition and the reported grooming of Muhoozi to succeed his father.

In 2013, Sejusa left Uganda and spent time in the United Kingdom before later travelling to the United States. During his absence, he gave interviews to international media in which he criticised the government and raised concerns about the country’s political future.

He eventually returned to Uganda in 2016 and was subsequently arrested and charged with military-related offences before the matter was resolved.

Opondo’s reference to Sejusa suggests that the current situation involving Elwelu could similarly involve negotiations intended to prevent a prolonged confrontation.

However, the precise nature of any alleged truce between Elwelu and the military leadership remains unclear.

Meanwhile, Echodu has urged residents of Teso and the wider country to remain calm as leaders continue engaging government authorities.

“For now, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Eastern Uganda, we call upon the population in Teso and Uganda at large to remain calm as we continue engaging the responsible authorities on this matter of public interest,” he said.

He called for a transparent investigation into the allegations against Elwelu, warning against statements that could heighten tensions in the region.

“Finally, as leaders and the people of Teso, we look forward to a speedy and transparent inquiry into these matters while urging the members of the public to desist from making unnecessary inflammatory statements to alarm the community in the region,” Echodu said.

The arrest comes at a sensitive moment for Teso, a region with a history of armed rebellion and military operations, including the insurgency involving the Uganda People’s Army and other armed groups in the 1980s and 1990s.

Leaders have repeatedly warned that reports of renewed armed activity could revive painful memories of violence, displacement and insecurity.

Echodu’s statement did not disclose the details of the consultations with Museveni or the institutions involved, while the alleged truce referenced by Opondo has not been formally announced.

The coming days are expected to provide further clarity on the allegations against Elwelu, the extent of the reported security threat in Teso and whether political or military negotiations are underway.

You can read about the Evidence against Peter Elwelu, including exhibits as the state ponders trial of the retired general for reportedly recruiting rebels, planning to kill Muhoozi and remove Museveni as reported Here and There.