Mwenda Claims Elwelu Plotted to Kill CDF Muhoozi to Seize Power
Journalist and Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) spokesperson Andrew Mwenda has claimed that retired Lt Gen Peter Elwelu plotted to assassinate Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as part of a bid to take over Uganda.
In a post on X on Thursday, 29 October 2026, Mwenda wrote:
“Private Elwelu was planning to kill the CDF @mkainerugaba. The militia he had recruited have said that in a briefing to them, he said he kills Gen Muhoozi he would be able to take over Uganda. Now he is hiding in the swamps of Teso.”
Mwenda did not name the alleged militia members or provide supporting evidence in the post. The claims remain unverified but it’s widely believed among Muhoozi supporters.
The allegations come amid an escalating confrontation between Gen Muhoozi and Elwelu, the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces. On 27 October, Muhoozi announced that he had stripped Elwelu of his ranks and demoted him to private, describing him as a traitor. He also said security forces had arrested more than 20 former soldiers linked to Elwelu and recovered firearms and ammunition from one of the retired general’s homes in Teso. Muhoozi has repeatedly demanded that Elwelu surrender.
Earlier, Mwenda had accused Elwelu of using Christian fundamentalism to disguise plans for a rebellion against the state.
Elwelu’s family is believed to have rejected the rebellion accusations, describing them as an attempt to frame him and damage his reputation. His current whereabouts have not been independently confirmed.
Security operations in the Teso sub-region continue, with Muhoozi reporting further recoveries of weapons and the arrest of Elwelu’s driver.
