The Traitor Peter Elwelu Is Hereby Stripped Of His Ranks. He Is Demoted To Private – Gen Muhoozi Announces As New Details Emerge

Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has reportedly announced that former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Peter Elwelu has been stripped of his military ranks and demoted to the rank of private. The announcement has attracted attention because Elwelu previously served in some of the highest positions within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

In his reported statement, Muhoozi referred to Elwelu as a traitor and declared that he had lost his military ranks. The announcement has raised questions about the circumstances behind the decision, particularly given Elwelu’s long service in the military and his previous position as deputy army chief.

Elwelu is a veteran military officer who joined the UPDF in 1987 and rose through the ranks over several decades. He served as commander of the UPDF Land Forces before being appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Forces in June 2021, making him one of the most senior figures in Uganda’s military leadership.

However, Elwelu’s tenure as deputy army chief ended in March 2024 when President Yoweri Museveni appointed a successor. He was subsequently assigned advisory responsibilities relating to the Teso and Karamoja sub-regions, marking a shift from his previous military command role.

The latest announcement also brings renewed attention to earlier tensions between Muhoozi and Elwelu. In December 2024, Muhoozi publicly criticised the former deputy army chief and threatened to arrest him, triggering discussion about their relationship and Elwelu’s position within the military establishment.

Elwelu was later included among senior officers scheduled for retirement, with the Ministry of Defence confirming his retirement during a send-off ceremony at State House, Entebbe, in August 2025. His previously announced retirement raises questions about the formal status and implications of the latest reported declaration that he has been demoted to private.

In the same reported developments, Muhoozi also claimed that more than 20 former soldiers had been arrested. However, further details about the identities of those reportedly arrested, the reasons for their arrests and whether the cases are connected to Elwelu have not been clearly established.

The announcement has placed Elwelu’s military status back in the spotlight and raised questions that require clarification from the UPDF or the Ministry of Defence. Official confirmation of the decision, its legal basis and its implications would help establish what has formally taken place. Until then, the reported demotion and related claims should be treated cautiously, with a distinction made between Muhoozi’s reported announcement and any formally confirmed military action.