By General Peter Elwelu, one of Uganda’s most recognizable military figures, has bowed out of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), urging Ugandans to embrace love, unity, and forgiveness as the foundation for peace and national progress.
In a deeply spiritual farewell message delivered on the day of his retirement, Gen Elwelu announced that he would now dedicate his life to serving God after nearly four decades in uniform.
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“Let us love one another. Hatred will not take us anywhere,” Elwelu said. “After serving my country, I now serve my Father in heaven. That is the most important thing for me.”
Elwelu officially retired on August 6, 2025, in a ceremony presided over by President Yoweri Museveni at State House. His retirement marks the end of a 39-year career that began in 1986 when he joined the army as an ordinary soldier. Rising through the ranks, he retires as a four-star general, a journey he credits entirely to divine providence.
“I didn’t know I would be retiring as a General in 2025. It’s only by God’s grace,” he said. “Many end in prison, many in coffins. But for me, I’m leaving with peace, dignity, and both legs.”
Throughout his distinguished career, Gen Elwelu played a central role in several high-profile military operations. He was part of AMISOM in Somalia, where Uganda contributed troops under the African Union to fight al-Shabaab militants. Domestically, he was a key commander in the 2016 Kasese operation, one of the most talked-about internal security missions in recent UPDF history.
He also served as a senior commander in Operation Shujaa, Uganda’s joint mission with the DRC to eliminate the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in eastern Congo. The campaign remains a significant part of Uganda’s counterterrorism efforts in the region.
Beyond the battlefield, Gen Elwelu was known for his strong emphasis on patriotism, spiritual reflection, and discipline. In his farewell address, he called on the public to turn away from worldly distractions and focus on what he called “the opinion of the One who created you.”
“Forget about this world, forget about the opinions of people. What matters is the opinion of the One who made you,” he said. “Pray for those who hate you, forgive them and our Father in heaven will also forgive you.”
Elwelu encouraged Ugandans to join him in worship, announcing he will now spend most of his time preaching through social media platforms like TikTok.
“We are in the end times. Everybody needs to find a place in His kingdom. It’s not about what you get in this world it’s about where you will be when you leave it.”
With his military career now behind him, Gen Elwelu steps into a new chapter as a spiritual messenger, committed to spreading peace and preparing souls for what he described as “the most important journey.”
“I thank you all and wish you the best,” he concluded. “May Papa Elohim and our ancestors bless and guide you.”
