Elwelu: As I leave UPDF, I forgive all my Enemies. I will now Preach word of God on TikTok

Gen Elwelu in his ceremonial uniform

One of Uganda’s most prominent and controversial military figures, Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu, is officially retiring from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) after 39 years of military service, dating back to the early days of the National Resistance Army (NRA) in 1986. 

On Friday, Elwelu, alongside other senior army officers, is set to meet with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, at State House Entebbe for a formal send-off ceremony marking the end of his long military career. 

In a heartfelt message to Ugandans, Elwelu expressed deep gratitude to God and the UPDF for the opportunity to serve his country for nearly four decades. 

“I am grateful to have served the UPDF for 39 years since 1986, rising through the ranks to become a Lieutenant General,” he said. 

“I thank God that I am alive and retiring peacefully, some of my comrades died in battle, others were imprisoned or dismissed. It is by God’s grace.” 

With a tone of reflection and reconciliation, Elwelu added, “I have forgiven anyone who wronged me because God asks his people to forgive.” 

The former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (D/CDF) also hinted at a dramatic transformation in his post-military life. 

Battlefield to Bible 

In a video clip shared online, Elwelu revealed that his next chapter will be dedicated to spreading the Word of God. 

“After serving Uganda, I am now going back to my family. My next assignment is to serve God,” he said. Notably, the retired general announced he will use TikTok as his main platform to preach and reach younger audiences, marking a unique shift from military strategy to digital evangelism. 

This move has sparked curiosity and mixed reactions from the public, given his controversial past. 

A Controversial Legacy 

Elwelu is best known for commanding the 2016 Kasese Palace raid, in which scores of people, mostly royal guards of the Rwenzururu Kingdom were killed during a military operation against King Charles Wesley Mumbere’s palace. 

The operation was widely condemned by human rights groups, but Elwelu remained unapologetic, famously stating, “They deserved to die.” Despite the backlash, he was later promoted and remained a loyal pillar in President Museveni’s military structure. 

He also represented the UPDF in Parliament and participated in various regional peacekeeping missions, including in Somalia and the Central African Republic. 

A Peaceful Exit 

Elwelu’s peaceful retirement is seen as symbolic in a security sector often marked by power struggles and abrupt dismissals. His expression of gratitude and commitment to a spiritual journey could signal a softer image for a man once known for his battlefield bravado and hardline stance. 

Whether his TikTok ministry will resonate with Ugandans remains to be seen but one thing is clear: Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu is not fading quietly into the background