The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) recruitment team, led by Brigadier Deus Sande, faced a challenge on Friday as non-shortlisted applicants besieged the Luwero district headquarters seeking to join the forces. Sande emphasized that only those who had been shortlisted were invited for interviews and medical screening.
However, they were overwhelmed by others, including unsuccessful applicants and those who had not applied previously, seeking an opportunity.
The UPDF had shortlisted 103 applicants from Luwero district for 71 available slots, while Nakasongola had 60 shortlisted for 40 slots, and Nakaseke had 31 shortlisted for the same number of slots. Sande clarified that unlike previous recruitments, new applicants were not allowed at the center, advising hopefuls to wait for future opportunities.
Richard Bwabye, the Luwero Resident District Commissioner, highlighted that the current recruitment exercise aimed for transparency by not accepting applications on-site, which in the past had led to corruption and favoritism.
Retired Lieutenant Sam Kigula, the LC 5 Chairman of Luwero district, noted that due to high unemployment rates, unsuccessful applicants were hopeful that the recruitment team might not fill all slots, leaving room for them to be considered.
Several disappointed applicants declined to speak to the media after being turned away by the UPDF team. Medical screening was ongoing as the team continued to select successful recruits from Nakaseke, Nakasongola, and Luwero districts.
The recruitment exercise is scheduled to conclude on Saturday after handling all shortlisted candidates from Luwero district.
