Army recruitment: Two disqualified over tattoos

Oct 27, 2014

Two young men were disqualified during the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) recruitment exercise conducted at Pece stadium, Gulu on account of having tattoos on their arms.


By Jackson Kitara
 
GULU - Two young men were disqualified during the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) recruitment exercise conducted at Pece stadium, Gulu on account of having tattoos on their arms.
 
The disqualified candidates were Bosco Okello and Geoffrey Oryema.
 
Okello said he was he was told that tattoos were a mark of indiscipline.
 
“I wanted to join the UPDF because my parents cannot afford to continue paying my school fees,” Okello said. He said he had spent sh15,000 to process introductory letters from his area local council and the Gombolola internal security office.
 
UPDF’s 4th division public relations officer, Capt. Mark Mutono, said at least 25 applicants were kicked out because they were found to be over-age.
 
“At least 177 applicants failed the physical examination because they had scars, deformities, eye and dental defects, as well as skin diseases like ringworms,” Mutono added.
 
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Nebbi and Zombo youth who turned up for a UPDF recrutiment exercise. PHOTO/Benedict Okethwengu
 
Mutono said they recruited candidates aged between 18-25 who had original academic certificates for O’level or its equivalent.
 
They were also expected to show their identity cards from their former schools and introductory letter from LC1 and Gombolola internal security office.
 
The army’s 4th division deputy commander, Col. Joseph Balikudembe said 16 applicants failed the medical examination because they tested positive for HIV, Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis, hypertension and diabetes.
 
Col. Balikudembe the team leader UPDF recruitment exercise said: “other candidates even to forged their academic documents to join the UPDF. Other candidates who had failed from other districts crossed to others to be recruited”.
 
The exercise attracted candidates from the districts of Gulu, Amuru and Nwoya.

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