By Edward Byamukama
Thirteen applicants have been arrested and detained at Kagadi Central Police Station for presenting forged academic documents during the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) recruitment exercise in Kagadi district.
The UPDF Public information Officer for the UPDF recruitment Team 5 in Bunyoro Sub-Region, Captain Wilson Kato Agaba, says that the suspects were among 78 candidates who turned up at the Kagadi District Headquarters on Sunday for the recruitment drive. They were immediately handed over to police for further investigation.
Capt. Agaba emphasized the army’s zero tolerance policy on fraud, warning that such actions not only undermine the integrity of the recruitment process but also pose a threat to national security.
The applicants were expected to present their required documents including handwritten application with local leaders endorsements (LCI, LCII, LCIII, GISO/DISO), Original and photocopies of academic documents, three passport-sized photos and National ID.
Capt. Agaba confirmed that out of 88 shortlisted candidates, 78 have turned up at the recruitment center and only 61 were selected to undergo training with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces after passing the tests.
He however lauded youth for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, noting that majority of the successful applicants were in a good health condition.
The Kagadi Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Caroline Kashaija Muyambi urged the candidates to maintain discipline and serve their country with passion and patriotism.
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) in its major nationwide recruitment exercise, targets to enlist to its ranks 11,500 Ugandans, to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities and promote patriotism among the youth.
