Ex-minister threatens retired general over coup allegations
Musa Ecweru warned Lt Gen Peter Elwelu to surrender within 24 hours or face death if cornered.
Former state minister Musa Ecweru has threatened to have retired Lt Gen Peter Elwelu killed if he is cornered by security forces. Ecweru, a former Amuria County MP, issued the ultimatum yesterday, Thursday, demanding Elwelu surrender to Soroti Catholic Diocese Bishop Joseph Oliach Eciru within 24 hours. Ecweru stated he would not permit anyone to disrupt the peace in the Teso sub-region.
The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, accused Elwelu, the former deputy army chief, of plotting a coup against the NRM government. However, Teso elders have criticised Ecweru, accusing him of escalating tensions and overstepping the mandate of security institutions. They urged him to withdraw his remarks and allow official investigations.
Former Uganda ambassador to Nigeria Nelson Ocheger dismissed claims of rising tensions in Teso, calling Ecweru's statements politically motivated. Ocheger stated he found no evidence of tension upon returning from Teso on Tuesday. He advised the public to let the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) handle the investigation professionally.
Why it mattersFormer minister Musa Ecweru's threats and the subsequent accusations of coup plotting by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba directly involve the stability of Uganda's government and security forces.