KAMPALA UGANDA: 5 November 2026— The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed media reports claiming that former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu surrendered under a special agreement guaranteeing his personal safety from President Yoweri Museveni.
The military’s statement came in response to news headlines, notably in The New Vision, implying that Gen. Elwelu turned himself in on Monday evening following extensive behind-the-scenes negotiations. Media reports had alleged that political, religious, and military leaders from the Teso sub-region were involved in mediating the surrender, and that Deputy CDF Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding had traveled to Soroti under President Museveni’s directive.
Some publications further reported that Museveni had offered personal safety assurances and that Elwelu was initially accommodated in a three-bedroom house or near local hotels while awaiting a meeting with the President.
Refuting these accounts, the army clarified that no immunity deal or presidential guarantees exist, and that Elwelu surrendered only after security forces closed in on him.
Col. Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, stated that it is misleading to frame Elwelu’s surrender as a voluntary act or a negotiated arrangement.
”He gave himself up peacefully because the security forces had closed in on him, and there were no viable alternative courses of action at his disposal,” Magezi said.
The army spokesperson explicitly rejected assertions involving the Commander-in-Chief.
”At no point did the President and Commander-In-Chief, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, offer Elwelu ‘assurances for his personal safety,'” Magezi stressed, adding that the President maintains full confidence in security agencies to take all necessary measures to maintain order.
Magezi emphasized the President’s insistence on unwavering discipline across all ranks, including the Reserve Force, making it clear that no high-ranking officer is above the law.
The Defence ministry confirmed that Elwelu will not receive special accommodations or political immunity, but will instead face trial before the UPDF General Court Martial.
”Those who break the laws of Uganda shall be held to account without fear or favour,” Magezi added. “Accordingly, Peter Elwelu will be held fully accountable for his actions.”
