UPDF recruitment drive registers high turn-up
Feb 15, 2009
THE recruitment into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces that kicked off last Thursday has registered a high response across the country.
By Anthony Bugembe and Frank Mugabi
THE recruitment into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces that kicked off last Thursday has registered a high response across the country.
Hundreds of youth from Wakiso district turned up at the district headquarters on Saturday seeking to be recruited into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.
“This high turn-up is attributed to the good mobilisation from the district leaders,†said Lt. Col. Bosco Mutambi, the leader of the UPDF recruitment team in Zone A of the central region.
The one-month nationwide exercise kicked off on February 12 at several centres. The exercise that will run up to the end of the month, is targeting 3,300 recruits, 3,000 of whom will be non-commissioned officers and 300 officer cadets.
Officer Cadets must possess an A’ level certificate or its equivalent, while other regulra recruits must have attained Senior Four education. Each district is allocated a quota based on its population.
Mutambi said the recruitment drive was an opportunity for the thousands of educated but jobless youth to find something to do and contribute to the development of their country.
“As UPDF becomes a professional army, the demand for well-qualified people is high in the several departments we have. We need more educated officers,†he said, adding that they needed 133 soldiers and four cadet officers from Wakiso.
The youth aged between 18 and 25 were required to present original academic documents, recommendation letters from their Local councils and had to be from Wakiso district. They were also required to undertake physical and medical examination. The army medical team screened the potential recruits for HIV among other things. The UPDF recruitment officers also lectured the potential recruits on what to expect from the army.
“When you join the army, you must disregard tribes and political affiliation or revenge. You are serving the nation and not an individual. You must also remember that a gun is not a ticket to intimidate others,†an officer advised the recruits.
In Nebbi, two UPDF deserters were arrested when they tried to get back into the force during the recruitment exercise on Friday.
Lt. Col. James Barigye Ruhesi, who was overseeing the exercise, said the men, whom he did not identify, were detained at Nebbi central police station for “safe custody†awaiting a decision from the army commanders.
“They voluntarily declared that they deserted but had found life very difficult out there. So they expressed interest in rejoining the army. They will remain detained as we look into their circumstances,†Ruhesi said.
In Arua town, a youthful Rastafarian with short dreadlocks caused excitement when he presented himself for enrollment.
Sunday Aniku, 25, a resident of Oli Division in Arua municipality, excited the officers and on-lookers as he joined the queue with his academic transcripts.
Aniku was directed to go and cut off his hair, which he did at a nearby salon. Unfortunately, he was not recruited for being unfit.
Two other youth in Arua were rejected after they fainted on finishing the 5km run. The two were not identified.
In Nebbi and Arua districts, 122 youth, including five females, were recruited. Among them were three cadet officers, one of them a civil engineer.
Ruhesi urged more women to join the army. He also hailed the youth in the region for keeping to a safe lifestyle, noting that a big number tested HIV-negative.
Related stories under UPDF RECRUITMENT
THE recruitment into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces that kicked off last Thursday has registered a high response across the country.
Hundreds of youth from Wakiso district turned up at the district headquarters on Saturday seeking to be recruited into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.
“This high turn-up is attributed to the good mobilisation from the district leaders,†said Lt. Col. Bosco Mutambi, the leader of the UPDF recruitment team in Zone A of the central region.
The one-month nationwide exercise kicked off on February 12 at several centres. The exercise that will run up to the end of the month, is targeting 3,300 recruits, 3,000 of whom will be non-commissioned officers and 300 officer cadets.
Officer Cadets must possess an A’ level certificate or its equivalent, while other regulra recruits must have attained Senior Four education. Each district is allocated a quota based on its population.
Mutambi said the recruitment drive was an opportunity for the thousands of educated but jobless youth to find something to do and contribute to the development of their country.
“As UPDF becomes a professional army, the demand for well-qualified people is high in the several departments we have. We need more educated officers,†he said, adding that they needed 133 soldiers and four cadet officers from Wakiso.
The youth aged between 18 and 25 were required to present original academic documents, recommendation letters from their Local councils and had to be from Wakiso district. They were also required to undertake physical and medical examination. The army medical team screened the potential recruits for HIV among other things. The UPDF recruitment officers also lectured the potential recruits on what to expect from the army.
“When you join the army, you must disregard tribes and political affiliation or revenge. You are serving the nation and not an individual. You must also remember that a gun is not a ticket to intimidate others,†an officer advised the recruits.
In Nebbi, two UPDF deserters were arrested when they tried to get back into the force during the recruitment exercise on Friday.
Lt. Col. James Barigye Ruhesi, who was overseeing the exercise, said the men, whom he did not identify, were detained at Nebbi central police station for “safe custody†awaiting a decision from the army commanders.
“They voluntarily declared that they deserted but had found life very difficult out there. So they expressed interest in rejoining the army. They will remain detained as we look into their circumstances,†Ruhesi said.
In Arua town, a youthful Rastafarian with short dreadlocks caused excitement when he presented himself for enrollment.
Sunday Aniku, 25, a resident of Oli Division in Arua municipality, excited the officers and on-lookers as he joined the queue with his academic transcripts.
Aniku was directed to go and cut off his hair, which he did at a nearby salon. Unfortunately, he was not recruited for being unfit.
Two other youth in Arua were rejected after they fainted on finishing the 5km run. The two were not identified.
In Nebbi and Arua districts, 122 youth, including five females, were recruited. Among them were three cadet officers, one of them a civil engineer.
Ruhesi urged more women to join the army. He also hailed the youth in the region for keeping to a safe lifestyle, noting that a big number tested HIV-negative.
Related stories under UPDF RECRUITMENT