He Surrendered, He Wasn't Arrested As Reported – Ofwono Opondo Breaks Silence Following Gen Muhoozi’s Detention of Gen Elwelu

Former government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo has challenged reports surrounding the detention of retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu, claiming that the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces surrendered voluntarily rather than being arrested as widely reported.

Opondo made the remarks while commenting on the developments involving Elwelu, who was reportedly taken into custody in Soroti on November 2, 2026, over alleged security-related activities. His explanation presents a different account of what happened to the retired general and how he ended up in the hands of military authorities.

“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 suggested that the development should not automatically be viewed as a confrontation between Elwelu and the current military leadership. Instead, he described it as a possible understanding intended to resolve the situation without allowing tensions to escalate.

Opondo further compared the circumstances to the experience of retired General David Sejusa, who left Uganda in 2013 following disagreements with the government and later returned in 2016. Sejusa had attracted international attention after making statements about political succession and allegations surrounding Muhoozi Kainerugaba's future ambitions.

The former government spokesperson suggested that Elwelu's situation could follow a similar path, where discussions and an arrangement between the parties may have played a role in resolving the matter. However, he did not provide details of the alleged negotiations or identify the people involved in reaching the supposed understanding.

Elwelu previously served as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces under Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and held several senior positions during his military career. His reported detention has attracted considerable attention, particularly in the Teso sub-region, where residents have expressed concern following reports of possible security threats.

Meanwhile, senior leaders from Teso, including Soroti City West MP David Calvin Echodu, have confirmed that they are consulting government institutions and President Yoweri Museveni to establish the circumstances surrounding Elwelu's case. Echodu has urged residents to remain calm and called for a transparent inquiry.

Neither the UPDF nor the government has publicly confirmed Opondo's claim that Elwelu surrendered as part of a negotiated truce. The exact circumstances surrounding the retired general's detention and the alleged agreement therefore remain unclear.