The search for retired Lt Gen Peter Elwelu has widened to include people believed to be associated with the former deputy army chief, with Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba announcing the arrest of another individual linked to him: a pastor the CDF believes to be a witchdoctor.
The latest development comes amid a series of arrests involving Elwelu’s former military associates, his driver and members of his family, as the military leadership continues to demand that the retired general surrender.
The investigation has unfolded against the backdrop of a deteriorating relationship between Elwelu and Gen Muhoozi, marked by public accusations, threats of arrest and claims of an alleged rebellion.
Elwelu, who served as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces from June 2021 until March 2024, was replaced by Lt Gen Sam Okiding in a reshuffle by President Yoweri Museveni.
He was subsequently appointed Senior Presidential Adviser on Teso and Karamoja affairs and continued representing the army in Parliament before retiring from active military service in August 2025.
His military career had also attracted international scrutiny over his role in the November 2016 operation against the Rwenzururu Kingdom palace in Kasese, which left more than 100 people dead.
In 2024, the United States imposed visa restrictions on Elwelu over alleged gross human rights violations linked to the operation.
Muhoozi’s escalating confrontation with Elwelu
The current confrontation between the two generals follows a series of public exchanges dating back to December 2024, when Gen Muhoozi questioned Elwelu’s suitability to serve in the military and threatened to arrest him.
“Elwelu is a buffoon! He is completely unworthy of our great Army! He better run as fast as his small legs can carry him,” Gen Muhoozi wrote on X.
The relationship deteriorated further in October 2026, when the CDF announced that he had stripped Elwelu of his military ranks and demoted him to Private.
“The traitor Peter Elweru is hereby stripped of his ranks. He is demoted to Private,” Gen Muhoozi posted on October 27.
The CDF also announced the arrest of more than 20 former soldiers who had served under Elwelu, claiming that they were cooperating with investigators.
“We have arrested over 20 of Elweru’s former soldiers. They are co-operating well. They all agree he went insane a long time ago. Elweru should surrender soon in order to save his own life,” Gen Muhoozi wrote.
The military chief subsequently announced that security forces had recovered firearms and ammunition from one of Elwelu’s residences in Teso.
“We have recovered a lot of arms and ammunition from his house. He has hours to surrender before we declare him a rebel and deal with him accordingly,” Gen Muhoozi stated.
The allegations have not been accompanied by a publicly released charge sheet against Elwelu, and the retired general has not publicly responded to the latest accusations.
Arrests extend to Elwelu’s family and associates
The investigation has also drawn in people close to the former deputy CDF.
On October 27, Gen Muhoozi announced the arrest of Elwelu’s wife, accusing her of physically abusing the retired general over several years.
“We have also arrested Elweru’s wife who has been beating him for the last 8 years. That’s why he always looked confused in Parliament. Domestic abuse,” he posted.
Two days later, the CDF announced the arrest of Elwelu’s driver and the seizure of a vehicle allegedly used by the retired general.
“We have also arrested his driver and seized the last vehicle he was using,” Gen Muhoozi wrote.
A relative of Elwelu subsequently told the media that the retired general had gone into hiding because he feared for his life.
The family disputed the allegations against him, describing his military career as one of service and questioning the circumstances surrounding the accusations.
The military has not publicly disclosed the identities of all those arrested or provided a comprehensive account of the alleged offences under investigation.
Religious allegations enter the picture
The latest development has introduced a new dimension to the investigation, with the CDF now alleging that a religious figure associated with Elwelu has been engaging in occult practices.
The arrest also follows accusations by Patriotic League of Uganda spokesperson Andrew Mwenda, who claimed that the former deputy army chief had used Christian fundamentalism to conceal alleged plans for an armed rebellion.
“Private Elwelu had been hiding behind Christian fundamentalism to disguise his plans for a rebellion against the state. Now he is on the run, and Christ won’t protect him from his plots to violently destabilize Uganda,” Mwenda wrote.
Neither Gen Muhoozi nor Mwenda has publicly presented detailed evidence establishing a connection between Elwelu’s religious activities and the alleged rebellion.
Elwelu’s relatives have maintained that he is in hiding because of fears for his personal safety.
‘The noose is tightening’
On Saturday, October 31, Gen Muhoozi announced that security forces had arrested a man he described as Elwelu’s personal witchdoctor.
The CDF did not identify the suspect, disclose where the arrest took place or explain the specific allegations against him. It was also unclear whether the suspect had been formally charged.
In a statement posted on his official X account, Gen Muhoozi said the man claimed to be a pastor but accused him of engaging in practices he described as devil worship.
“Yesterday, we arrested Elweru’s personal witchdoctor. He claims to be a pastor,” wrote Muhoozi.
“Yet he is worshipping the devil everyday. The noose is tightening.”
The statement did not clarify how the alleged religious practices relate to the accusations of treachery and rebellion previously levelled against Elwelu.
The arrest marks another escalation in a confrontation that has now involved former military personnel, members of Elwelu’s family and people reportedly associated with him.
With the CDF declaring that “the noose is tightening”, the search for the retired general appears to be continuing, although security authorities have yet to provide a formal account of the investigation or announce charges against him.
Meanwhile, some the rebels that Elwelu had allegedly recruited are said to have confessed that the retired general planned to assassinate Muhoozi and remove Museveni from power, as reported Here.
