Arua – 21 individuals have been arrested for presenting forged documents and impersonation in the ongoing Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) recruitment drive in West Nile. The arrests occurred in the districts of Yumbe and Adjumani.
Earlier today, the suspects were handed over to the police for further investigation. According to the UPDF, the detained individuals were caught with forged academic documents and some lacked original National Identity cards.
Details of Recruitment and Arrests
In Yumbe district, over 200 candidates were shortlisted for recruitment. However, after rigorous screening of academic documents and medical tests, only 120 candidates were successfully recruited. The recruitment drive also saw 19 individuals recruited in Moyo district and 9 in Obongi district.
Captain Edwin Mawanda, the West Nile UPDF spokesperson, addressed the issue, urging applicants to avoid forgery to prevent embarrassment and legal consequences. “We have arrested some youth, six in number, for forgery of academic papers and mainly National Identity cards. Our NIRA personnel were able to scrutinize and find that some IDs were registered under different names, leading to the arrests,” Mawanda said.
Appeals and Advice
Captain Mawanda advised unsuccessful applicants not to lose hope and to wait for future recruitment opportunities rather than resorting to forgery. “I want to appeal to the youth: please do not risk coming with forged documents because you will be arrested. Be patient if you were not shortlisted, as there will be many opportunities in the future,” he added.
He also expressed concern over the low turnout of female applicants and encouraged more women to participate in future recruitment exercises.
Police Involvement
Ignatius Dragudu, the police spokesperson for the North West Nile region, confirmed that 21 suspects are in police custody on charges of impersonation and forgery. “During the UPDF recruitment exercise, 10 people were arrested in Adjumani and 11 in Yumbe for forgery and impersonation. They are still in our custody and are helping with investigations. Later, they will be produced in court,” Dragudu confirmed.
Recruitment Criteria
The current national recruitment targets young individuals who completed their Uganda Certificate of Education (S.4) in 2020 and are aged between 18 and 22 years. This strict criterion is meant to ensure the selection of qualified and suitable candidates for the UPDF.
Summary Table of Key Information:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Arrests | 21 individuals |
| Districts Involved | Yumbe and Adjumani |
| Reasons for Arrest | Forged academic documents and impersonation |
| Total Candidates Shortlisted in Yumbe | Over 200 |
| Successful Recruits in Yumbe | 120 individuals |
| Recruits in Moyo and Obongi | 19 in Moyo, 9 in Obongi |
| UPDF Spokesperson | Captain Edwin Mawanda |
| Police Spokesperson | Ignatius Dragudu |
| Target Recruitment Group | Individuals who completed S.4 in 2020, aged 18-22 years |
