Teso leaders appeal to Museveni over Elwelu’s arrest
“Last evening, we received news of the arrest of our brother, Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, over security-related allegations by the UPDF (Uganda People's Defence Forces). The news of a possible insurgency brewing in Teso has taken many people in the region by shock,” Echodu said.
Elwelu, a former deputy Chief of Defence Forces, was arrested by security operatives in Soroti City on Monday evening (November 2), with news of his arrest announced later that night.
TESO - Leaders from Teso sub-region have appealed to President Yoweri Museveni, seeking his intervention following the arrest of retired Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu over allegations of engaging in subversive activities.
Elwelu, a former deputy Chief of Defence Forces, was arrested by security operatives in Soroti City on Monday evening (November 2), with news of his arrest announced later that night.
The arrest triggered outrage and anxiety across Teso, with residents taking to social media and engaging in heated discussions in trading centres to express concern over the allegations against one of the region’s prominent sons.
Against this background, the leadership of Teso, led by the National Resistance Movement national vice-chairperson for the eastern region, David Calvin Echodu, said they had communicated the concerns of the people of Teso to the President.
In a statement posted on X today (November 3), Echodu said regional leaders had started consultations with relevant institutions to establish the details and magnitude of the allegations.
“Aware of our turbulent history, we, together with other senior leaders, have embarked on consultations with responsible institutions to ascertain the details and magnitude of the said matter. We have also informed the President about the concerns of majority of the people in Teso,” Echodu said.
Echodu, who is also the Soroti City West Member of Parliament, said the allegations against Elwelu had shocked many people in Teso.
“Last evening, we received news of the arrest of our brother, Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, over security-related allegations by the UPDF (Uganda People's Defence Forces). The news of a possible insurgency brewing in Teso has taken many people in the region by shock,” he said.
Speaking to New Vision Online, however, Echodu called for calm and expressed confidence that the matter would be handled appropriately. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)
Describing the matter as a grave concern to the people of Teso, Echodu urged residents to remain calm as regional leaders engage the relevant authorities.
“For now, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of eastern Uganda, we call upon the population in Teso and Uganda at large to remain calm as we continue engaging the responsible authorities on this matter of public interest,” he said.
He added, “Finally, as leaders and the people of Teso, we look forward to a speedy and transparent inquiry into this matter while urging members of the public to desist from making unnecessary inflammatory statements that could alarm the community in the region.”
Meanwhile, Elwelu’s arrest dominated conversations on social media, streets of Soroti City and in trading centres across Teso, with residents expressing shock and concern over the development.
Vincent Emong, the chairperson of Obur village in Awoja parish, Aukot sub-county, Soroti district, where Elwelu has a home, described the retired general as a supportive and law-abiding member of the community.
Emong said Elwelu had maintained a good relationship with residents and often supported vulnerable members of the community.
“He has been a law-abiding person in my village, who has been supporting the elderly with food and even money,” Emong said.
Soroti City Mayor Francis Esudu acknowledged that the arrest had created tension among residents, but said normal business activities were continuing
“Well, tension is there, but business is running normally in town. I have also been in my office in the morning, and now I am at Soroti University with the minister talking to students,” Esudu said
He said the situation had not disrupted the city's routine activities despite the anxiety surrounding the arrest.