UPDF recruits 3,300 new soldiers

Aug 18, 2011

THE Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) has hit its target in the just concluded recruitment exercise, with 3,300 recruits from across the country.

By Miriam Ochakolong

THE Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) has hit its target in the just concluded recruitment exercise, with 3,300 recruits from across the country.

Speaking to the New Vision , Army Spokesman for the Western region Capt. Robert Kamara said that out of the total targeted number of recruits, 300 are cadets and 3,000 are regulars.

“We are very happy because we met our targeted number of cadets and recruits to serve the country,” Kamara said at the close of the exercise yesterday.

He said both the cadets and recruits are Ugandan citizens and are physically fit to serve in the army because they were recommended by their local leaders and underwent medical check-ups.

Kamara added that 58 cadets and over 530 recruits were recruited from Western Uganda to join the force.

“Through our competent team, we managed to recruit the best out of the best,” Kamara added.

Capt. Tabaro Kiconco, the Air forces spokesman said 47 cadets and 479 recruits came from the east and central regions and had already reported for training.

He said the recruits had been taken for nine months training to Kaweweta in Nakaseke district before they are deployed to different army units to serve the country. On the other hand, cadets are to undergo a12-month training at the Uganda Military Academy in Kabamba.

Kiconco said the exercise went on well because they worked closely with local leaders, District Security Officer (DISO) and the police.

He added that the local leaders contributed a lot in recommending and mobilizing youths to avoid malpractice and identifyed criminals who wanted to join the force.

Kiconco also cited the overwhelming turn up by the youth, forging of the academic papers as one of the challenges they faced during the exercise, saying it hardened selections.

However, Kamara asked the youth who did not make it to take their studies seriously to avoid forging academic papers because they would always nabbed and disqualified even in other disciplines.

He also said that next year UPDF would recruit more youth to serve in the army urging the applicants not give up because they still stand a chance to join the force.

He also said the army put the minimum requirements for recruits at Ordinary Level (O-level) and Advanced level (A-level). The minimum requirements for cadets are graduates.

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