The Uganda military, UPDF, has announced the arrest of former deputy military chief and presidential adviser Peter Elwelu over allegations of involvement in activities aimed at destabilising the country.

The arrest comes days after Uganda's defence chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced that he had stripped Elwelu of his lieutenant general rank and demoted him to a private.

Elwelu was arrested on Monday in Soroti city. He officially retired from the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) in August 2025.

Acting military spokesman, Chris Magezi, said Elwelu has been on the run over involvement in subversive activities and plans to destabilise the Teso region.

UPDF says security forces recently recovered 15 guns in his possession, military fatigues, and two pickup trucks.

He will be charged and prosecuted in the courts of law accordingly, it added.