UPDF asks candidates to observe discipline as recruitment exercise begins

Kaabong | The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) began the national recruitment exercise for 2024. 

Recruitment teams have been dispatched to various sub-regions throughout the country. The process is going well in the Karamoja sub-region.

All of the shortlisted candidates from Kaabong and Karenga districts showed up to be physically tested before joining the force.

Colonel James Barigye Rukundo, team seven leader and substantive 3 Division Operation and Training Officer (3DOTO), advised aspiring candidates to maintain discipline, follow instructions, and be patient during the interview process.

He assured the candidates and district leadership of a systematic and transparent interview process to select good soldiers upon completion of training programmes.

The team leader emphasised that the UPDF will always strive to maintain its dignity and that no standard will be compromised in the future.

Ocailap Filbert, Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Karenga, thanked the UPDF strategic leadership for implementing a new approach of shortlisting candidates based on official advertisements and projections of required quotas, which provided a solid foundation for utmost guidance.

He encouraged candidates to do their best throughout the process.

Meri Jino, the district chairperson for Kaabong, advocated for affirmative action for candidates from the Karamoja subregion.

The team plans to spend two days at the Kaabong recruitment centre, selecting 22 candidates as per quota from the 36 shortlisted for the Kaabong district.

Karenga district had twelve out of fourteen candidates shortlisted.

The team will conduct the same exercise in the Kotido centre, interviewing candidates from Kotido and Abim districts on July 3 and 4, respectively.

Capt (Rtd) Chris Mike Okirya, Kaabong’s RDC, and local leaders were among those in attendance.

By Robert Edwomu.