Uganda general demoted to private
Army chief strips former deputy of rank amid a year of high-level military arrests.
By Charles Reed ·
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the army chief of Uganda and son of President Yoweri Museveni, has removed Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu from his post as deputy army chief. Kainerugaba announced the decision on social media, stating that Elwelu was demoted to the rank of private.
The demotion follows Elwelu's detention on November 10. Authorities accused the former deputy of plotting to destabilize the eastern Teso region. The army confirmed the detention later, saying investigators recovered weapons and vehicles linked to Elwelu. His family has rejected the allegations.
This move is the latest in a series of actions affecting senior military leadership. At least a dozen generals and senior officers have been arrested over the past 18 months under Kainerugaba's command. These detentions have unsettled the top ranks of the armed forces and fueled debate about the motivations behind the crackdown.
Political tensions surrounding the succession of President Museveni, who has ruled for four decades, are driving much of the speculation. Kainerugaba, 52, is viewed as a potential successor, but his path faces resistance within the ruling National Resistance Movement. The party recently denied reports that its senior leadership unanimously backed the general's presidential ambitions, calling such claims completely false.
The friction has become visible in public exchanges between senior officials. This week, Kainerugaba threatened Vice President Jessica Alupo with dismissal and arrest. He suggested on the platform X that he should take her position. The following day, his account, which has nearly 1.4 million followers, became inaccessible. It remained unclear whether he deactivated the account or if the platform suspended it.
Other high-profile detentions include three former military intelligence chiefs. Major General James Birungi was arrested in August 2025 on charges of treason and terrorism. He was later released after Kainerugaba announced he had forgiven him. Brigadier General Charles Bakahumura was arrested in September and also released after receiving the general's pardon. Major General Abel Kandiho, detained in September for providing false intelligence, remains in custody.
Dr. Gerald Bareebe, a political scientist at York University in Canada, noted that senior officers perceived to oppose the succession project have been arrested or charged with corruption and treason. He argued that these actions reflect deep divisions within the military and the ruling party over who should lead the country next. The situation is often referred to by analysts as the Muhoozi Project.
The military has defended the arrests as necessary measures to tackle corruption and criminality within the armed forces. Security analyst Freddie David Egesa stated that the detentions are part of investigations involving different security agencies rather than a simple purge. He said detaining senior officers helps protect witnesses and demonstrates the seriousness of the anti-corruption drive.
Internal party dynamics complicate the succession debate. Some officials consider General Salim Saleh, the president's younger brother, better suited for civilian leadership, though there is no indication he wants the presidency. Others have urged Museveni to move his son into a civilian role to gain administrative experience before the 2031 election. Kainerugaba controls the Special Forces Command, which is largely loyal to him.
The opposition faces its own challenges as the political situation shifts. Veteran politician Kizza Besigye remains in detention on treason charges. Bobi Wine, who came second in this year's presidential election, has gone into exile in the United States. President Museveni remains in power while the ongoing arrests and public disputes continue.
