The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) is preparing for a major retirement exercise in July 2025. Among those scheduled to retire is Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, together with more than 1,300 other officers and militants.
Lt Gen Elwelu previously served as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces. In March 2024, he was removed from his leadership position in the army and later appointed as a Senior Presidential Adviser. He has continued to represent the army in Parliament.
This retirement exercise is part of what the UPDF refers to as Batch 15. It will include 1,346 officers and militants, many of whom are senior officers between the ranks of Major and Colonel.
These officers are currently undergoing retirement preparation and documentation at the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Academy in Jinja.
Reports have suggested that there have been tensions between Lt Gen Elwelu and Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the current Chief of Defence Forces.
In December 2024, Gen Muhoozi made public remarks criticising Elwelu, referring to him as a “buffoon” and questioning his past roles in the army.
Brig Gen Emmanuel Kanyesigye, the commander of the Jinja Cantonment, commended the contributions of the retiring officers. He acknowledged their efforts during operations against the Lord’s Resistance Army and their work in strengthening security in Karamoja.
He referred to retirement from military service as a “noble and honourable milestone.”
Brig Gen Julius Biryabarema, who heads the pensions and compensation department, advised retiring officers to be alert to fraudsters who may attempt to take advantage of them during the pension process.
Among other senior officers set to retire are Maj Gen Francis Okello, who previously served as commandant of the National Defence College in Jinja, and Maj Gen George Igumba, who led the Senior Command and Staff College in Kimaka.
This group retirement is among the largest in the history of the UPDF and is viewed as part of the continuing changes within the army’s leadership structure.
