Museveni appoints Gen Elwelu in new strategic role

President Yoweri Museveni appointed Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu to monitor government activities in Teso and Karamoja regions
Gen. Elwelu is well-versed in security-related issues like cattle rustling in the mentioned areas
He was recently replaced as deputy CDF by the president and is one of the 10 army representatives in parliament

In a letter dated July 10, Museveni instructed the State House comptroller to facilitate Lt Gen. Elwelu in his new assignment.

“In addition to your current assignment as Member of Parliament, I have appointed you to monitor government activities in Teso and Karamoja regions. By copy of this letter, I direct the State House comptroller to facilitate you carry out the assignment,” the president stated.

One of the major concerns in the Teso and Karamoja regions is security related matters like cattle rustling, that Gen Elwelu, the former Chief of Defense Forces, is well-versed with.

Gen. Elwelu was recently replaced as deputy CDF by the president. The Commander-in-Chief recalled Lt Gen Sam Okiding from the African Transition Mission In Somalia (ATMIS) where he was the commander.

Who is Gen Elwelu?

Elwelu is one of the 10 army representatives in parliament.

He was elected to parliament in January 2021 with nine other people, including three female officers.

The others in parliament representing the army include; Col Dr Victor Nekesa, Lt. Charity Bainababo, Maj Dr Jennifer Alanyo, Gen David Muhoozi, Gen Katumba Wamala, Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, Lt Gen James Mugira, Maj Gen. Henry Matsiko and Maj Gen Sam Kavuma.

He was the Deputy Chief of the Defence Forces from June 2021.

Prior to this, he served as the commander of the Land Forces in January 2017, which is the fourth-highest position in the UPDF hierarchy.

From June 2013 until January 2017, he was the commander of the UPDF 2nd division, which is based in Mbarara, the largest town in Uganda’s Western Region.

Elwelu reportedly joined the Ugandan military in 1987 after attending the Tanzania Military Academy in Monduli.

He was then posted to the military installation at Kabamba and later transferred to the Cadet Officer School at the Gaddafi military barracks in Jinja in 1995.