Apac District, Uganda– A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) recruitment exercise in Apac District ended in tragedy on Friday after a 22-year-old applicant collapsed and died shortly after completing a mandatory fitness run.
The deceased has been identified as Dono Solomon, who was among hundreds of hopefuls participating in the exercise. According to eyewitnesses, Solomon successfully completed the short-distance run — one of the compulsory physical stages of the recruitment process — before suddenly collapsing.
Despite efforts to render immediate assistance, he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards, leaving both fellow applicants and army officers at the scene in shock.
Local authorities have since confirmed the incident and stated that investigations are underway to establish the exact cause of death. Preliminary reports suggest that Solomon may have suffered complications related to extreme physical exertion, though a postmortem examination will provide conclusive findings.
The UPDF recruitment drives, which are held across the country, are known for their rigorous physical requirements, including running, push-ups, and medical evaluations, as part of the army’s efforts to ensure that candidates meet the physical and mental demands of service.
Officials extended their condolences to Solomon’s family, describing the incident as an unfortunate loss of a young life in the pursuit of serving his country.
