The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Soroti, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Soroti City West MP Calvin Echodu has directly appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in the explosive security situation unfolding in Teso following the arrest of retired Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, warning that the region has a painful history with insurgency in Eastern Uganda.
Echodu, who was nominated by Museveni as State Minister for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) but has not been sworn in due to unresolved citizenship issues, confirmed in an online statement on X on Tuesday that he and other senior Teso leaders have formally notified the President of the “concerns of the majority of people” in the sub-region .
The intervention came hours after the UPDF announced that Elwelu—a former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and a towering figure in Teso—had been arrested in Soroti City on allegations of “subversive activities” and plotting to destabilize the region . The military claims it recovered 15 guns, military fatigues, and two pickup trucks linked to the retired general, accusations his family has vehemently denied .
Echodu’s statement stated that he has been inundated with phone calls from “opinion and Party leaders in Teso and Eastern Uganda,” all seeking clarity on a matter he described as of “grave concern” .
“Aware of our turbulent history, we together with other senior leaders, have embarked on a consultation with responsible institutions to ascertain the details and magnitude of the said matter,” Echodu said. “We have also informed H.E the President about the concerns of the majority of people in Teso” .
Echodu’s own political standing adds another layer to the intervention. Nominated to the foreign affairs docket after the 2026 elections, he remains in limbo—vetted by Parliament but unable to assume office because of dual citizenship concerns that have yet to be resolved . Despite this, he has continued to act as a senior NRM voice for Eastern Uganda, and his appeal to Museveni carries weight precisely because of his proximity to the appointing authority.
The MP urged the population to “remain calm” and “desist from making unnecessary inflammatory statements to alarm the community,” even as he demanded accountability .
“As leaders and the people of Teso, we look forward to a speedy and transparent inquiry into these matters,” he stated, implicitly challenging the military’s narrative by insisting on a process that goes beyond the martial pronouncements that have characterized the case so far.
