The arrest of retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu over alleged security-related activities has sparked concern among leaders and residents in the Teso Sub-region, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Calvin Echodu has said.
Echodu, who is also the Soroti West Division MP, said the news of Elwelu’s arrest by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had shocked many people in the region, particularly amid concerns about reports of a possible insurgency.
In a statement issued on Tuesday vai his X-handle, Echodu said he had since received several telephone calls from opinion leaders and political leaders in Teso and other parts of Eastern Uganda seeking clarification about the matter.
“Last evening, we received news of the arrest of our brother Lt Gen Peter Elwelu over security-related allegations by the UPDF. The news of a possible insurgency brewing in Teso has shocked many people in the region,” he said.
He said he and other senior leaders had started consultations with relevant government institutions to establish the details and magnitude of the allegations.
Echodu added that they had also brought the concerns of the people of Teso to the attention of President Museveni.
Given the region’s turbulent history, the minister urged residents of Teso and the country at large to remain calm as leaders engage the responsible authorities to establish the facts surrounding the arrest.
He also called for a speedy and transparent inquiry into the matter, urging members of the public to avoid making inflammatory statements that could create unnecessary fear and tension in the region.
Echodu said leaders in Teso and Eastern Uganda would continue engaging relevant authorities to address the concerns raised by the arrest.
