No Such Deal! Gen Muhoozi’s Army Denies Gen Elwelu Was Promised Safety Deal With Museveni Before Surrendering

The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed reports that President Yoweri Museveni offered retired Lt Gen Peter Elwelu guarantees of personal safety in exchange for surrendering to security forces. The army has instead maintained that the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces handed himself over because security operatives had closed in on him, leaving him with no viable alternative.

The clarification was made by Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, following reports suggesting that Museveni had reached an understanding with Elwelu to guarantee his safety. Magezi insisted that there was no such arrangement between the President and the retired general, challenging reports that linked his surrender to assurances from the Commander-in-Chief.

"At no point did the President and the Commander-in-Chief, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, offer Elwelu assurances for his personal safety," Magezi stated.

He acknowledged that Elwelu surrendered peacefully but disputed claims that he voluntarily decided to hand himself over under an agreement with the authorities. According to Magezi, security forces had already closed in on the former army commander, leaving him with limited options. "He gave himself up peacefully because the security forces had closed in on him. There were no viable alternative courses of action at his disposal," he explained.

Elwelu was taken into custody in Soroti City on November 2, 2026, in circumstances that have attracted different accounts from the army, his relatives and associates. While the military initially announced his arrest, people close to him claimed that he had contacted security officers from his office in Senior Quarters and requested them to pick him up so that he could respond to the allegations against him.

The retired general is facing allegations of involvement in subversive activities and plans to destabilise the Teso sub-region. Security officials have also previously claimed that 15 guns, military uniforms and two pickup trucks linked to him were recovered. However, his family has denied allegations that he was accumulating weapons to launch an insurgency.

Magezi further emphasised that Museveni has confidence in security agencies to maintain peace and order in the country. He said the President expects discipline from serving soldiers and members of the UPDF Reserve Force, warning that anyone found breaking Uganda's laws would be held accountable without favour. He confirmed that Elwelu would have to answer for the allegations against him before the General Court Martial, although no specific charges or hearing date were announced.

The army's latest position comes amid growing calls for transparency over Elwelu's detention, with the Uganda Law Society demanding that authorities disclose where he is being held and guarantee him access to his family and lawyers. The lawyers' body has also cautioned against trying the former military commander through public statements before the legal process takes its course.