600 fail to join UPDF in Rukungiri

Over 600 candidates who turned to join the army in Rukungiri on Friday were turned away due to limited slots allocated to Rukungiri, Ntungamo and Kanungu.

The 2nd division army spokesperson, Telesphor Turyamumanya, said they were overwhelmed by the turn up, especially from Rukungiri.

"We have not seen such a huge number at once elsewhere. This means people have trust in their own army and I encourage those who were not considered to come again in the next recruitment, which will be in September 2018," he said.

He said there was only 42 slots for Rukungiri, 27 for Ntungamo and 22 for Kanungu, but close to 700 candidates turned up.

They also passed through physical medical examinations, written examinations and lastly medical blood testing, especially for HIV/AIDS.

He said the exercise was free and fair as they followered stipulated procedures. "Even if you were son of who and you reported few minutes past 8:00am, we would not allow you in," he said.

He said about 26 girls were among the candidates who wanted to join, but only three were successful .