UPDF Recruitment Exercise Gains Momentum in Northern Uganda and Karamoja
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has intensified its nationwide recruitment drive, with notable progress observed in Adjumani and Kaabong districts. The exercise marks the beginning of a comprehensive effort to identify and enlist new, qualified recruits into the national force.
In Adjumani, the recruitment took place at Paridi Stadium where 36 recruits were selected out of 51 who reported from a shortlist of 61 candidates. Several individuals were disqualified during the physical screening stage due to various reasons, including the absence of original academic documents, identity mismatches, and, in one case, the use of forged credentials which led to the suspect’s arrest.
The successful candidates were issued admission letters and instructed to report individually to the Recruit Training School in Kaweweta, Nakaseke District within three days. Failure to report within the stipulated timeframe will result in automatic disqualification.
In Kaabong District, the recruitment was supervised by Team Seven, under the leadership of Colonel Santurino Mashereka Tumuranzye. The team successfully recruited 11 out of 14 candidates from Kaabong, and an additional 6 out of 8 from the neighboring Karenga District.
Despite the region’s difficult terrain and remote location, the exercise was completed smoothly, largely due to effective collaboration between UPDF officials and local leaders. Organizers attributed the success to proactive community mobilization and strong local support.
A significant change in this year’s recruitment is that selected candidates are now required to fund their own travel to Kaweweta, unlike previous years where transportation was facilitated by the army.
The recruitment team will continue the exercise in Gulu City on August 6, where candidates from Gulu City, Gulu District, and Omoro District will be screened at Pece Stadium. Subsequent activities are scheduled for Kotido on August 7 and Abim District on August 8, with all activities for those areas based at the Kotido District Headquarters.
The UPDF continues to encourage eligible Ugandans to participate in the process with integrity and preparedness.
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