The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced a fresh recruitment exercise targeting 10,000.

According to a statement issued by the army spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, the exercise, which will be conducted from June 18 to July 4, also targets professionals such as doctors, engineers, mechanics, drivers, pilots and other citizens grounded in technical and vocational skills.

The general recruitment, and targeting 8, 300 will start this week on Saturday and end on July 4, while medical personnel, mechanics, drivers, pilots and other professional recruits will be enlisted from June 30 to July 1.

Under special recruitment, Kulayigye said, the UPDF target is to enlist 100 medical personnel, 1, 000 drivers and mechanics and 600 air force personnel.

General recruitment will be conducted at various districts, while those with special skills will be enlisted at Kololo Independence Grounds and Gadhafi Barracks in Jinja.

“In 2004, the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs undertook a comprehensive programme to transform the UPDF into a modern, professional and accountable force subordinate to the civilian authority. We therefore would like to inform the public that UPDF is once again embarking on a recruitment exercise to attract very composed and patriotic Ugandans ready to serve in the regular, professional and specialised units,” Kulayigye said.

“Recruitment of 10, 000 Ugandans will be conducted between June 18, 2022, to July 4, 2022,” he added, noting that those interested in joining the UPDF should be citizens of Uganda, have a national identity card, single with no children, be in good health and aged 18 to 30, among other requirements.

“The UPDF leadership has set up teams to ensure that the exercise runs successfully, and districts are further encouraged to meet their quotas allocated,” Kulayigye said.