Former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (D/CDF) Lt Gen Peter Elwelu is said to have surrendered to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) following negotiations involving President Yoweri Museveni and senior political, military and religious leaders from the Teso sub-region.
According to the New Vision, Elwelu handed himself over on Monday evening after current Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding travelled to Soroti to bring him back following a directive from Museveni.
He is now being accommodated in a three-bedroom house, where he is allowed to have his personal cook prepare his meals as he awaits a meeting with the President.
The New Vision reports that the surrender followed behind-the-scenes negotiations during which Museveni reportedly assured Elwelu of his personal safety, provided he surrendered and faced the formal military justice process.
Senior Presidential Advisor for Teso Charles Elasu, who participated in the negotiations, is quoted as saying that Elwelu had sent someone to bring him and Okiding to the place where he was staying in Soroti City.
Elasu said the two met Elwelu at about 2pm on Monday, exchanged pleasantries and informed him that Okiding had travelled to Teso on the President’s instructions to bring him back.
They later left for Ateker Villas, where they spent the night together before preparing for their journey on Tuesday morning.
Other senior security officials, including former Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security Maj Gen Richard Otto and Uganda Police Force head of Crime Intelligence Maj Gen Christopher Ddamulira, later joined the group.
Elasu described the meeting as cordial, saying the officials held discussions before departing for Kampala.
Okiding and Elwelu reportedly travelled in the same vehicle, leaving Soroti at about 10:20am on Tuesday, with a security vehicle leading the convoy and clearing traffic ahead of them.
Elasu said Okiding had confirmed that Elwelu would stay in a three-bedroom house and would be allowed to have his cook prepare his meals while awaiting a meeting with Museveni.
“He was given a three-bedroom house and allowed him to get his cook, who currently prepares his meals as they await to meet the President on a date I do not know,” Elasu was quoted as saying by the New Vision.
Other people involved in the negotiations included Calvin Echodu, the Soroti City West MP and National Resistance Movement (NRM) vice-chairperson for the Eastern Region.
Elwelu’s surrender follows an ultimatum issued last week by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who gave the former army deputy chief hours to report to the military or risk being declared a rebel and dealt with accordingly.
Muhoozi had said Elwelu was under investigation over alleged recruitment of rebels. The development came after the army arrested Elwelu’s wife and more than 20 soldiers suspected of working with him.
