UPDF shifts recruitment to online, 11500 vacancies available

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The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces on Friday announced fresh recruitment of 11,500 personnel, including professionals, into the army.

However, the Director of Defence Public Information, Major General Felix Kulayigye, said the recruitment, which starts on July 7, 2025, and ends on July 11, 2025, will be done online.

“This is to announce that the online UPDF recruitment starts on July 7, 2025-July 11, 2025. We are going to recruit 11,500 Ugandan citizens, both regular and professional. Dates for the physical appearance for the successful applicants will be announced later.

“Recruitment into the UPDF is free of charge. There is no fee you are to pay. Don’t pay any money to any individual or groups, and please report any fraud,” Maj. Gen. Kulayigye stated.

Maj. Gen. Kulayigye noted that the recruitment exercise would be conducted in two phases. “Phase one will be done online, and all aspiring candidates must submit their applications online through the official UPDF recruitment portal, www.recruitment.updf.ug. Candidates applying online will be required to upload an application bearing the following: passport photo; academic documents; national identity card or NIN,” Kulayigye stated.

He revealed that the reason they had opted to use online was to avoid direct contact.

“We are trying to minimise physical contact between the recruits and the recruiters. The reason is to reduce the risks of anyone or persons taking advantage of these young Ugandans who want to join the forces. We have heard such cases. The less you interact with us, the better. That is why we want to physically interact with those who have been considered online,” Kulayigye revealed during a press conference on Friday at the UPDF headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.

Kulayigye also urged the Local Council (LC) leadership and security structures that would verify the applicants to waive any fees paid in exchange for a stamp proof of residency.

“We have no control over the LCs, but certainly we urge them to facilitate these young Ugandans. They are not working. This is not a transaction that involves the exchange of money. What is the charge for the stamp?” Kulayigye wondered.

Maj. Gen. Kulayigye revealed that the successful applicants shall be shortlisted and uploaded on the UPDF website and shared with the respective district headquarters.

Phase two recruitment process:

“Physical recruitment, which will be the second phase, will take place throughout the country, covering 135 districts and 11 cities.

The shortlisted applicants will individually report at the assigned recruitment centre for the physical/medical interviews with the following: handwritten applications bearing recommendations from LC1, LC2, LC3 and Gombolola Internal Security Officer or District Internal Security Officer and then the Resident District Commissioner or Resident City Commissioner.

They are also required to have their national identity card or NIN. Original and copies of the academic documents. If you are successful, the originals will be taken back home,” Kulayigye stated.

He also said the applicants should have three coloured passport photos.

“Recruitment will be conducted using the population figures of each district/city of Uganda, based on the date from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics of June 2024 that forms the basis of recruitment quotas. The successful applicants will each be issued with an introductory card to be presented on arrival at the assigned training centre,” Kulayigye added.

Targeted recruits

Maj. Gen. Kulayigye said the recruits will be categorised into two batches, based on ordinary academic qualifications and professionals.

“Under the general recruitment, it will involve holders of the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE aged between 18-22 years,” he said.

He also noted that they intended to recruit Grave 5 teachers and diploma holders from recognised teacher training institutions between the ages of 20-25.

For Air Force professions, with qualifications relevant to the Air Force, with the age bracket between 18-30 years.

“They will include pilot instructors who are qualified pilots with a private pilot license, commercial pilot license with instructor[CE1] rating and a background in science combination in A ‘level with two principal passes; aircraft maintenance engineers with a diploma in aircraft maintenance, specializing either in the engine or airframe or avionics; qualified air traffic controllers with any rating and background of bachelors of science degree with either mathematics or physics,” Kulayigye stated.

He also said they were recruiting meteorologists with a bachelor of science degree or diploma in meteorology with a background in physics, economics, mathematics, chemistry and geography.

“Graduates with a bachelor of science in telecommunication engineering, information technology, software engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering and electronic engineering. Senior six leavers with a science combination with a bias in Physics and mathematics must have obtained two principal passes with 12 points and above, with an age bracket of 18-23 years. Holders of Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education, ranging between 18 and 23, must have gotten two principal passes with a score of 8 points and above,” Kulayigye added.

Maj. Gen. Kulayigye said all the professionals, senior six, Air Force and grade five teachers will be centrally recruited at the Kololo Independence Grounds.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must be Ugandan citizens with a valid national identity card or National Identification Number (NIN). They must be between the ages of 18 and 22 for general recruitment, although candidates up to 30 years old may apply for professional positions. Additionally, candidates must be physically and mentally fit, law-abiding, and have no criminal record. Professionals must provide signed recommendations and certified copies of their academic documents.