Hundreds of qualified applicants have turned up at Kololo Independence Grounds as the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) nationwide recruitment exercise enters its final day.
The recruitment drive is aimed at addressing personnel gaps arising from retirements and the completion of service by members of the force.
In Kampala, the final verification exercise was conducted by Team Two of Kampala Extra, led by Brigadier General Allan Kalanzi.
Team Two spokesperson Captain David Kamya said the response from applicants has been encouraging, with hundreds of young Ugandans turning up to seek an opportunity to serve in the UPDF.
“The response from Ugandans has been very encouraging. We have received hundreds of qualified and patriotic young Ugandans who are eager to serve their country,” Capt. Kamya said.
Kamya said the recruitment process is being conducted transparently and in line with established UPDF recruitment standards.
He added that candidates are undergoing thorough verification, with only applicants who meet the required educational and medical standards considered for recruitment.
The UPDF announced 10,400 vacancies in mid-July for regular recruits and professionals as part of the nationwide recruitment exercise.
For regular recruitment, applicants were required to be Ugandan citizens aged between 18 and 22 years and possess a Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
The final day of the exercise marks the culmination of the nationwide process, which has attracted applicants seeking to join Uganda’s armed forces.