Gen Elwelu’s home in Kalaki abandoned
By Our reporter
KALAKI – Increased movements by security officials at the Kalaki District country home of retired Lt Gen Peter Elwelu has raised concern in the neighbourhood, with some residents reportedly fleeing their homes fearing an escalation of tensions.
Residents of Anyara Sub-county, where Elwelu’s home is located, say the deployment of soldiers and reports of a fallout between the retired general and the government have disrupted life in the community, with some people reportedly seeking shelter in other areas.
The residents say rumours about a possible arrest of Elwelu and some of his aides began circulating in September 2026. However, the fears intensified last Tuesday when military patrol vehicles and private cars were seen moving through Anyara before heading to the general’s home.
When our reporter visited Elwelu’s home, more than five operatives dressed in civilian clothing approached and said the premises were out of bounds to visitors until further notice.
One of the operatives said they had been deployed to safeguard the property and prevent interference with it.
“We have been deployed here to take care of the property and to ensure that nobody tampers with the general’s property. So this place is out of bounds for anyone willing to visit,” the officer said.
The whereabouts of Elwelu and his wife remained unclear to the residents who spoke to our reporter.
Esemu speaks out
Peter Esemu, a relative of Elwelu, said he had interacted with the retired general on several occasions but had never known him to advocate taking power or opposing the government.
Esemu said Elwelu returned to his home village after retiring from the army and devoted much of his time to church activities, including leading prayers on Saturdays.
“When we heard that Elwelu had retired, he returned home here and focused much on his church where he could lead prayers every Saturday,” Esemu said.
He added that Elwelu had previously encouraged residents to support President Yoweri Museveni, making the allegations of a fallout with the government difficult for some community members to understand.
“I remember one day when he visited here and advised us to vote for President Museveni as the only one who can govern this country. How does such a person again begin to plot against government? The people are not happy because Elwelu has been a man of peace in this community,” Esemu said.
Lucky Amuge, a community elder, said she had known Elwelu since the 1980s, when she married into the area.
Amuge described Elwelu as someone who had risen from a humble background to become a senior military officer and who continued supporting residents after his retirement.
She said Elwelu’s mother used to brew local alcohol to raise money for his education until he completed Senior Four at Kalaki Senior Secondary School, after which he joined the army.
Amuge said Elwelu had supported community development initiatives, including providing solar panels for a water project that supplies residents with free tap water.
She added that the retired general often assisted sick residents by transporting them to hospital and paying their medical bills, while also helping some of the poorest households to construct homes.
“This whole sub-county had no water, but when Gen. Elwelu was informed, he brought the solar panels, installed them, and that’s the project that has been supporting us here with free tap water,” Amuge said.
“If anyone gets sick when he is around, Elwelu will pick his car and drive the person to the hospital and even clear the bills. He even built houses for those who are living in extreme poverty,” she added.
Amuge said residents initially dismissed reports of a fallout between Elwelu and the government as rumours until they noticed soldiers moving through their communities.
She said the reported security operations had frightened residents, with some abandoning their homes after hearing that people who had been helping to maintain Elwelu’s home had been arrested.
“People have feared to stay in their homes; they have taken off because of fear. On hearing that the soldiers are around, others have resorted to sleeping in distant places,” Amuge said.
Samuel Peter Ewinyu, the LC1 chairperson of Aloet Village, said residents had previously investigated allegations that some people had died at Elwelu’s home but found no evidence to support the claims.
He said the community was subsequently shocked when groups of men dressed in military attire and civilian clothing reportedly raided the general’s home on Tuesday.
Ewinyu alleged that two residents, Robert Ebeu and Robert Enou, were beaten as they passed near the home. He further claimed that a soldier guarding the property was assaulted while the group sought information about Elwelu’s whereabouts.
According to Ewinyu, he later visited the home to establish what had happened and spoke to soldiers who told him that one team had conducted a search while another had remained to protect the property.
He said the community had not been informed in advance about the operation. Ewinyu added that the reported raid had heightened fears among residents of Awaliwal, Oriamai, Adodoi and Onyikir villages, where he claimed some people were sleeping away from home and returning during the day.
“When two elephants are fighting, it’s the grass that suffers. Even here, the generals are fighting, so it’s the local people who suffer,” Ewinyu said. He alleged that some residents had sold their property and left the area because they feared the situation could escalate.
Ewinyu said Elwelu and his wife had not been seen by community members, adding that the general’s home appeared to be occupied only by security personnel.
He described Elwelu as a key figure in maintaining peace in the area, saying the retired general had helped persuade young men known locally as Owokiwok, who had been accused of terrorising residents, to abandon their behaviour.
Martha Adong, the Vice Chairperson of Anyara Sub-county, also described Elwelu as an important contributor to community development.
She said the retired general had supported water projects, provided boreholes and contributed food during burials, adding that she was unaware of any incidents in which he had harmed members of the community.
Adong said remarks made by former Minister of Works and Transport Musa Ecweru had further heightened residents’ concerns about Elwelu’s safety.
Who is Gen. Peter Elwelu
Born in 1966 in Kumi District, eastern Uganda, Gen Elwelu is an ethnic Iteso who joined the Ugandan military in 1987 after training at the Tanzania Military Academy in Monduli. He rose through the ranks of the UPDF, serving in key positions including commander of the 2nd Infantry Division from 2013 to 2017, Land Forces commander from 2017, and Deputy Chief of Defence Forces from June 2021 until his retirement in August 2025.
Military Career
Elwelu participated in several significant military operations. Early in his career, he was involved in the UPDF intervention in Zaire to overthrow Mobutu Sese Seko and later fought against Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army in northern Uganda, where he survived a gunshot wound. He also led the first UPDF contingent to Somalia under AMISOM in 2007 and contributed to operations against the Allied Democratic Forces in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
He is most controversially known for commanding the UPDF forces during the November 2016 operation at the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu palace in Kasese, which resulted in over 150 deaths and drew international criticism for alleged excessive use of force. In May 2024, the United States sanctioned him for alleged gross human rights violations related to the Kasese events, restricting his travel and financial transactions within U.S. jurisdiction.
Post-Retirement Activities
After retiring from the UPDF, Elwelu expressed a shift toward religious life, announcing plans to preach the Word of God, particularly using TikTok to reach younger audiences. He also serves as a senior presidential advisor and represents the military in Uganda’s Parliament, highlighting his continued influence in national affairs.
Personal Background
Elwelu hails from a rural agrarian community in eastern Uganda, reflecting the socioeconomic context from which many Ugandan military recruits emerged post-independence. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for both his military leadership and his controversial role in high-profile operations, making him one of Uganda’s most prominent and debated military figures.
