STATE HOUSE ENTEBBE: August 08 2025 -President Yoweri Kaguta on Saturday retired seven Generals of the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) at a colorful event in State House Entebbe. The retirees included the former Deputy Army Commander, Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu. Upon his retirement, Gen Elwelu, announced his plan to dedicate his life in retirement to serving God.
In a message recorded prior to the official retirement ceremony, Elwelu shared his gratitude for retiring “in peace and honorably” from the UPDF. Gen Elwelu, who previously served as Commander of Land Forces, concludes his long and eventful career with the rank of Lieutenant General to focus on his faith and family.
He credited his nearly 40-year military career to divine grace and, during a retirement ceremony at State House Entebbe presided over by President Yoweri Museveni, he offered a public apology while expressing his intention to spread a message of love and forgiveness all through his retirement.
He reflected on his journey, stating;
“I started it as an under ordinary soldier. In 1986, I didn’t know that I would be retiring as a general in 2025. It is only by God’s grace that I’m what I am today.”
Acknowledging the dangers of a military life, Elwelu expressed happiness that he was retiring with dignity. “Many are dismissed. Many end in prison. Many end in coffins. But for me, I am going with my two legs marching very well and happy back to my family… to serve my father in heaven because that is now the most important thing for me.”
He also extended an invitation for the public to join him in worship, stating that his focus would now be on preaching the word of God. “Everybody needs to find a space in his kingdom. That’s the most important thing. It’s not about what you get in this world. It’s about when you leave this world, where will you be?”
In the official retirement speech he read on his behalf and on behalf of the retiring generals, Elwelu drew from the scriptures emphasizing that there is time for service and time for retiring as there is time for one to be born and time for one to die. He sought for an apology from the Commander-in-Chief as well as the officers still in military service, stressing that it’s only through forgiveness that one can attract the favor of God and live a peaceful life.
At one point in his career, Gen Elweru stood as one of Museveni’s most fearless generals especially drawing from the 2016 incident when he commanded UPDF soldiers to attack the Rwenzururu Kingdom palace in Kasese in which more than 100 people lost lives. Later in 2021 when he was elected Army Representative in Parliament Elwelu said that those who were killed during the Kasese clashes were criminals ‘who deserved what they got.’ He said that the intervention in Kasese had resulted in peace, and it is not something that he would regret because pacifying the country is part of his call as a serving officer of the armed forces.
“To the Commander in Chief, we ask for forgiveness where we did not perform to your expectations – Forgive us! Secondly, to our comrades who retired and those still in active service in UPDF, please forgive us where we hurt you. We acknowledge that we are sinners so please forgive us. From our side, we also forgive those who hurt us consciously or unconsciously” Elwelu noted in his speech at State House.
At 58, Elwelu’s retirement came two years before the mandatory age of 60 for generals, leading to speculation that his departure may not have been voluntary. His name appeared on a list of 1,300 UPDF officers approved for retirement, and he was officially retired alongside six other generals: Lt Gen Francis Ben Okello, Maj Gen Hudson Mukasa, Maj Gen George Igumba, Brig Gen John Byuma, Brig Gen Dominic Twesigomwe, and Brig Gen Augustine kamyuka Kyazze.
