By Our Reporter 

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to personally engage retired Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu in dialogue following an appeal by Teso and Kumam cultural leaders seeking his intervention in the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces’ situation.

The President also assured the cultural leaders that Gen. Elwelu was safe and urged the people of Teso and the wider Ateker community to remain calm as security agencies conclude their investigations.

The assurances were made during a private meeting between President Museveni, His Royal Highness Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng III, Her Royal Majesty Toto Akaliait Juliet Among Akaliait and Kumam Paramount Chief Won Ateker Raphael Otaya.

The meeting, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, took place at State House Entebbe following the conclusion of the Cultural Leaders Conference.

During the engagement, the cultural leaders made an appeal to the President to use his authority and leadership to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the matter surrounding Gen. Elwelu, whose arrest has raised concern among sections of the Teso and wider Ateker community.

Presenting the concerns of the Iteso, Emorimor appealed to Museveni to urgently intervene, warning that the developments were creating tension among the population and shifting public attention away from development priorities.

Emorimor also highlighted Gen. Elwelu’s longstanding service to the country, his loyalty to the NRM government and his contribution to mobilising political support for President Museveni and the ruling party during the recently concluded elections.

“Your Excellency, if there is any misunderstanding between your two sons, Gen. Muhoozi and Peter Elwelu, we urge you to sit them down for a dialogue for the sake of peace, harmony and mutual understanding,” Emorimor appealed.

He further expressed concern that the situation was affecting the mood of the population in Teso, arguing that the community needed to remain focused on development.

“There is tension amongst the people, and this matter is now diverting the population of Teso from focusing on development matters that we want them to pursue,” he added.

The Iteso cultural leader also recalled Gen. Elwelu’s contribution to national security and the restoration of peace across border communities, asking that his past service be considered as the matter is addressed.

Her Royal Majesty Toto Akaliait Juliet Among Akaliait also made an emotional appeal, presenting the concerns of mothers and families affected by the developments.

“Your Excellency, I am a mother. Just imagine you leading children who are bitter in their hearts over their brother. I am only extending the disadvantaged voices of mothers to you that please kindly have a parental heart and forgive Peter,” she said.

On his part, Won Ateker Raphael Otaya asked the President to consider Gen. Elwelu as a son of the Ateker community and allow cultural leaders to engage him through traditional leadership structures.

“Your Excellency, Elwelu is my son and comes from one of my districts. Kindly forgive him and give him back to us. We shall sit him down and talk to him as elders,” Otaya told the President.

### Museveni Calls for Calm, Assures Elwelu's Safety

Responding to the appeals, President Museveni urged the people of Teso and the wider Ateker community to remain calm and allow security agencies to complete their investigations.

He said he was closely following the matter and had instructed the relevant security agencies to handle it expeditiously.

“Let the security agencies conclude with their investigations, then I will prevail,” Museveni responded.

The President further reassured the delegation about Gen. Elwelu’s safety, ruling out any threat to his life.

“I have instructed security to handle the matter with swiftness. I promise that all will be handled. Elwelu is safe and no one will harm him,” he said.

Museveni also pledged to personally engage the retired general in dialogue, raising hopes for further discussions aimed at addressing the concerns presented by the cultural leaders.

The meeting represents a joint intervention by the cultural institutions of Teso and Kumam, which have called for dialogue and a peaceful approach to resolving the matter.

Following the meeting, the cultural leaders appealed to their respective communities to exercise restraint, maintain calm and avoid actions that could undermine peace and stability.

They also urged the population to remain focused on development as engagements over Gen. Elwelu’s situation continue.