Lt. Gen. Elwelu Echoed On Army Sacrifice Sends Heavy Message As Nation Divides On His Retirement

The pending retirement of Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces has stirred mixed emotions across the country, following the circulation of a viral video in which he delivered a powerful message about military service.

In the video, Elwelu is seen passionately addressing a crowd, saying, “We never joined the Army to look for money. We never joined the Army as a job. We joined it as a calling.” He continued, “Today most people join the Army as a job and that is where we are getting it wrong. Because the Army has never been a job. It is a service, it is a sacrifice.”

Elwelu praised the commitment and sacrifices of junior officers, adding, “They do their best, sacrifice their time and everything for years. Some spend decades sleeping under trees. There’s nothing we can give them other than saying Thank You.” His remarks drew loud applause from the audience, and he appeared to be serving as Chief of Defence Forces at the time of the video.

The footage has since sparked wide debate online. Some Ugandans praised Elwelu for his wisdom and patriotism, questioning why such a senior and vocal officer was being retired. Others, however, supported the decision, referencing his controversial role in the Kasese incident.

As Elwelu prepares to exit the army, the nation remains divided—some celebrating his legacy, while others call for deeper reflection on his past actions.