The Teso Parliamentary Group has called for an urgent meeting with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba to discuss the arrest of former UPDF Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, amid growing concerns over reported security tensions in the region.
The legislators say the circumstances surrounding Elwelu’s arrest, coupled with reports of a possible insurgency in Teso, have raised concern among political leaders and residents. They warn that failure to resolve the matter amicably could undermine peace, national unity and the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) political standing in the region.
Simon Peter Opolot-Okwalinga, the Kanyum County Member of Parliament and chairperson of the Teso Parliamentary Group, said the situation was increasingly worrying, with political stability and national cohesion potentially at stake.
“Is there tension in Teso? Yes, and a lot of it. By the time you see us as political leaders coming out, me as a member of PLU coming out, then you know that if we don’t solve this matter amicably, our political seats and the political standing of NRM is at stake in Teso,” Opolot said.
He, however, emphasised that preserving peace and stability was more important than the political implications of the dispute.
“Is that the most important? Peace, stability, national unity. Those are the matters at risk,” he added.
Opolot said the parliamentary group wanted the matter handled with fairness and caution, given its potential implications for public confidence, social cohesion and relations between the people of Teso, the government and the UPDF.
“As the representatives of the people, we believe this matter should be handled with utmost care and fairness, mindful of its implications for public confidence, social cohesion, and the relationship between the people of Teso and the government and the UPDF,” he said.
He said the group was appealing for the intervention of President Museveni and Gen. Muhoozi to facilitate an amicable resolution.
“We therefore appeal for the timely intervention of His Excellency the President and the Chief of Defence Forces towards amicable resolution of this matter in the interest of national unity. The parliamentary group will greatly appreciate a meeting with His Excellency the President and the Chief of Defence Forces,” Opolot said.
He also urged residents of Teso to remain calm, exercise restraint and avoid actions that could heighten tensions as political leaders engage government and military authorities.
The Teso MPs’ appeal follows remarks by Soroti City MP Calvin Echodu, who said he had received calls from political and opinion leaders concerned about Elwelu’s arrest and reports of a possible insurgency in the region.
Echodu said news of the arrest had shocked many people in Teso, prompting senior leaders to begin consultations with relevant government institutions to establish the details and extent of the reported security concerns.
“We received news of the arrest of our brother Lt Gen Peter Elwelu over security-related allegations by UPDF. The news of a possible insurgency brewing in Teso have taken many people in the region by shock,” Echodu said.
He disclosed that regional leaders had also brought their concerns to the attention of President Museveni.
“I have been receiving several phone calls from several opinion and Party leaders in Teso and Eastern Uganda about this matter of grave concern,” he said.
“Aware of our turbulent history, we, together with other senior leaders, have embarked on a consultation with responsible institutions to ascertain the details and magnitude of the said matter. We have also informed H.E. the President about the concerns of the majority of people in Teso.”
Echodu called for calm as consultations continue, while urging security agencies to conduct a speedy and transparent inquiry into the matter.
“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 also cautioned members of the public against making statements that could unnecessarily heighten anxiety or alarm residents.
“As leaders and the people of Teso, we look forward to a speedy and transparent inquiry into these matters while urging the members of the public to desist from making unnecessary inflammatory statements to alarm the community in the region,” Echodu added.
Elwelu was arrested by security forces in Soroti City on November 2, 2026.
Elwelu reportedly went into hiding following public statements by CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who described him as a traitor and announced that he had been demoted to the rank of private.
The arrest and subsequent developments have triggered concern among political leaders in Teso, who are now calling for dialogue, transparency and an amicable resolution to prevent further tension in the region.
