Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces [CDF], says he has demoted Peter Elwelu, the former Deputy CDF, from the rank of Lieutenant General to Private.
“The traitor Peter Elwelu is hereby stripped of his ranks. He is demoted to Private,” Kainerugaba posted on his X handle Tuesday morning.
Gen Kainerugaba also revealed that over 20 former soldiers linked to Lt Gen Peter Elwelu have been arrested and are cooperating with authorities.
“We have arrested over 20 of Elwelu’s former soldiers. They are co-operating well. They all agree he went insane a long time ago. Elwelu should surrender soon in order to save his own life,” he said.
Elwelu, previously sanctioned by the US over the 2016 Kasese killings that left over 100 dead, now faces calls to surrender as Kainerugaba asserts Uganda’s control over its security matters.
“Let all the world know that we intend to remain the masters of our own house,” he tweeted.
Kainerugaba did not give details of the arrested soldiers or charges, but said investigations are ongoing.
By press time, Elwelu had not publicly responded to the demotion and allegations.
The CDF, in an early morning tweeting spree, also commented about the recent killing of a Rwandan national , Sgt Maj Robert Kabera, in Uganda, pointing to possible involvement by Rwanda National Congress [RNC] elements.
“I hear there was a former RDF officer who was killed recently in the country. First of all, my office was never notified about the gentleman. I highly suspect that certain elements of Kayumba’s RNC were responsible. Are they retaliating for Kandiho’s arrest? We shall get to the truth,” he tweeted.
Gen Muhoozi also talked about the weakening shilling, saying the problem is being worsened by the delay in producing Uganda’s first oil.
“On our currency, I’m not worried at all. The problem is delaying to produce and refine our own petroleum. Mzee is always let down by very well-paid technocrats. They must be working for our enemies. Our PLU government will not let him down from 2031 onwards,” he tweeted.