Retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu, the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), is repor notedly still being held in Soroti City following his arrest, amid growing speculation about his possible transfer to Kampala for further engagements with the country’s top leadership.
According to reports from sources familiar with the developments, Elwelu remains at the hotel where he was reportedly arrested, with security officials allegedly waiting for further instructions from their superiors before deciding on his next course of action.
The reports have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the retired general’s detention and whether his case is being handled through the conventional security and judicial procedures.
Sources claim that arrangements could be underway to transfer Elwelu to Kampala, where he is allegedly expected to meet President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his son, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
However, the alleged plans have not been officially confirmed by the government, the UPDF or the security agencies involved.In another development, insiders have disputed reports suggesting that Elwelu was forcibly arrested by security operatives.
According to their account, the retired general allegedly presented himself at a police station to seek clarification about what he had done to attract the attention of people in positions of authority.
This version of events differs from accounts circulating in some media reports outside Uganda, which described his arrest as a security operation.
The circumstances under which Elwelu presented himself to police, including whether he was formally detained afterwards, remain unclear.
There are also claims that security officials could be reluctant to transfer him to an undisclosed detention facility, popularly referred to as a basement, because of possible repercussions that could arise from such a decision.
The claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no official explanation regarding Elwelu’s current place of detention, legal status or access to his family and lawyers.
Elwelu is a prominent figure in Uganda’s military history, having risen through the ranks to become Deputy CDF before retiring.His reported detention has attracted attention because of his former position within the military establishment and the political and security questions surrounding his current situation.
As uncertainty continues, attention is now turning to the government and security leadership for an official account of his whereabouts, the reasons for his reported detention and whether he will be transferred to Kampala.
