By Peter Mabira
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has dismissed a New Vision newspaper report suggesting that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni assured former UPDF Deputy Commander Peter Elwelu of personal safety in a deal that led to his surrender.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026, UPDF Acting Director of Defence Public Information Colonel Chris Magezi described the report as misleading and disputed its account of the circumstances surrounding Elwelu’s surrender.
Col Magezi said Elwelu did not voluntarily surrender but instead gave himself up peacefully after security forces had closed in on him, leaving him with no viable alternative.
He further clarified that President Museveni never offered Elwelu any guarantees regarding his personal safety.
According to Magezi, the President has confidence in the security forces to take all necessary measures to maintain peace, order and stability in the country.
He emphasised that all individuals who violate Ugandan laws would be held accountable without fear or favour, adding that Elwelu would answer for his actions before the UPDF General Court Martial.
The UPDF’s clarification comes amid conflicting accounts of how the retired general surrendered to security agencies in Soroti.
Earlier reports quoted relatives and associates who maintained that Elwelu voluntarily handed himself over after consultations with friends and elders.
The latest clarification by the military now puts the circumstances surrounding his surrender and the alleged presidential assurances at the centre of public debate.
