By Our Reporter 

SOROTI CITY - Former State Minister for Works and Transport Francis Musa Ecweru has urged former Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Peter Elwelu to surrender to authorities, warning that any attempt to destabilise the country would undermine the peace Teso has worked hard to restore.

Ecweru, who also chairs the former Arrow Boys, made the appeal while addressing journalists in Soroti hotel on Thursday, October 29, 2026, saying former members of the auxiliary force would join security agencies in efforts to establish Elwelu’s whereabouts.

He said the former Arrow Boys would work alongside the police, internal security and other law enforcement agencies, insisting that Teso would not tolerate a return to violence.

“No one will disrupt the peace of Teso. Former Arrow Boys will join the police, internal security and other law enforcement officers to look for Peter Elwelu,” Ecweru said.

He urged Elwelu to abandon any alleged plans for an insurrection and instead surrender to authorities or seek assistance from respected community leaders who could facilitate a peaceful handover.

Ecweru named Bishop Eciru, the Iteso cultural leader Emorimor and the Vice-President among those Elwelu could approach if he feared mistreatment by security agencies.

He said such leaders could help facilitate his handover to the President and expressed the view that Elwelu could seek forgiveness by explaining his actions and apologising where necessary.

Ecweru also appealed to Elwelu to surrender by Thursday evening, stressing that peaceful engagement remained the best way to resolve the matter.

However, he warned that the situation could become dangerous if Elwelu resisted arrest when located by former Arrow Boys and security personnel.

“If we get him in a thicket or hiding in some house, I am afraid he will die,” Ecweru said.

His remarks came amid heightened security concerns following statements by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who on Tuesday, October 27, threatened to declare Elwelu a rebel if he failed to surrender.

In posts on his official X account, Muhoozi alleged that security forces had recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition from one of Elwelu’s homes in Teso. He also announced that Elwelu had been stripped of his military ranks and demoted to the rank of Private, describing him as a “traitor”.

The allegations and announcements have raised concerns about the potential security implications, although the claims remain attributed to the officials who made them.

Ecweru said his determination to protect peace in Teso was rooted in the region’s experience with armed conflict, particularly the insurgency involving the Uganda People’s Army (UPA), which broke out in 1987 and ended in 1992.

He said the conflict caused widespread destruction and left lasting effects on communities that have since been working to rebuild their lives.

According to Ecweru, a meeting between President Yoweri Museveni and former combatants was held at Soroti Flying School in 1993 following an amnesty and presidential pardon extended to former fighters.

He said the former combatants presented a memorandum committing themselves to supporting recovery efforts and preventing a return to war and anarchy in Teso.

Ecweru said he personally signed the memorandum, which was presented by the late Omeda Max in the presence of the President and other dignitaries. About 1,200 pardoned former combatants reportedly attended the meeting.

He added that the commitment was later tested when the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) entered Teso in 2003.

Ecweru said former combatants subsequently worked with the government under the Arrow Auxiliary Force to support the UPDF in pushing the LRA out of the region between 2003 and early 2005.

Following the operation, the auxiliary force was dismantled and its members demobilised. Some were integrated into the UPDF and Uganda Police Force, while close to 4,000 were sent home as reservists, he said.

Ecweru described the former fighters as citizens who had returned to civilian life and were committed to preserving the peace they had helped restore.

The former minister also criticised some radio stations, accusing them of providing platforms for statements that he said could incite the public and undermine security.

He argued that broadcasters had a responsibility to inform, educate and entertain the public while ensuring that discussions did not encourage unrest.

Ecweru further expressed concern over reports that some young people were being influenced by messages suggesting the country was heading towards a crisis, with some allegedly being promised employment in other parts of Uganda.

He said he intended to release details of young people whose whereabouts were reportedly unknown within four days, including their names and places of residence, to help establish whether they had left home voluntarily or had been lured away under the pretext of employment.

He called on parents, local leaders and security officials to help establish the whereabouts of the youths.

Ecweru also said local security officials, including Gombolola Internal Security Officers and Parish Internal Security Officers, would be expected to explain what they knew about the situation in their respective areas.

Ecweru cited the death of Brigadier General Smith Opon Achak as an example of the consequences of renewed armed conflict. He said he had previously advised Opon Achak against taking up arms but that the former military officer did not heed his counsel and later died.

He maintained that another rebellion would expose communities to suffering and destroy the progress made since earlier conflicts.

Ecweru urged Elwelu, his relatives and associates to pursue peaceful channels and cooperate with authorities to resolve the matter.

“We can continue to have disagreements, but peace is our commitment, our common denominator,” he said.

He reiterated that former Arrow Boys were prepared to work with security agencies to establish Elwelu’s whereabouts, while urging all parties to prioritise peace and avoid actions that could threaten stability in Teso.