Kamuli, Uganda: The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has kicked off its recruitment exercise in Busoga North, beginning with Kamuli District, as part of the ongoing nationwide drive to enlist new soldiers.
The exercise, which began in Jinja District on August 5, is targeting 969 recruits from the Busoga sub-region, with Kamuli allocated 129 slots. Busoga North covers Kamuli, Buyende, and Kaliro districts.
According to Lieutenant Nathan Tumuhairwe, the Public Information Officer for UPDF Recruitment Team Three in the Busoga sub-region, the process has so far been smooth despite minor setbacks.
“Our initial target is to have 969 recruits from the entire Busoga sub-region, with each district having its own quota. For Kamuli District, we want only 129 recruits,” Lt. Tumuhairwe said.
He noted that the main challenges faced were late arrivals and identification mismatches during verification. “We have found cases where the person who applied is, for example, Isabirye Kakaire, but the one who shows up is Musa Kakaire. That creates a mismatch, and such a candidate cannot be accepted. The other issue is late coming,” he explained.
Shift to Online Recruitment
Lt. Tumuhairwe also explained why the UPDF shifted to an online recruitment system this year, saying it was designed to ensure recruits have basic literacy skills. “Our target was to recruit people who can read and write. If you cannot embrace technology, it means you are not fit to be in the army,” he stressed.
Kamuli District RDC Rose Birungi applauded the young people who turned up for the exercise, urging them to serve the country with patriotism.
“I am happy that many youths have shown the heart to serve the nation. I urge them to be patriotic so they can serve Ugandans wholeheartedly,” Ms Birungi said.
Among the first 100 recruits screened in Kamuli, 20 were female. Successful candidates will receive a movement order card valid for three days to travel to Kaweweta Recruit Training School in Ngoma Sub-county, Nakaseke District.
The Busoga North recruitment will continue in Buyende and Kaliro districts after Kamuli. The Kamuli exercise took place at Kamuli Youth Centre in Kamuli Municipality.
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