Women outnumber men at Lira army recruitment

Youth in Lango on Tuesday turned up in big numbers to join the army in a countrywide recruitment exercise that took place at Akii Bua Memorial Stadium in Lira Town.

By 6:30am, over 2000 youth had already lined-up at the stadium waiting for the recruitment team.

The Lira exercise was targeting only 63 males, aged between 18-24 years from the districts of Alebtong, Lira, Otuke and Dokolo but ended up attracting more girls than boys.

By press time, eight applicants had been handed over to Police for investigations over allegedly presenting forged academic papers.

According to Team Seven recruitment spokesperson, 2^nd Lt. Chebet Fenni, Lira registered the highest turn up compared to other centres.

She said the four districts would share the 63 slots with Lira district taking 28, Dokolo 13, Alebtong 15 and Otuke 7.

"We are really very sorry for the ladies who also turned up for the recruitment, for infantry we are taking only men, ladies were only considering under professionals of which the recruitment took place in Kolo last week," said Chebet.