By Kitts D.Mabonga
KAPCHORWA
The UPDF is currently engaged in its constitutional duty of conducting a countrywide recruitment campaign to enlist new soldiers into its ranks, however, the process has encountered some challenges.
Seven individuals were apprehended last week for being in possession of counterfeit academic credentials and are currently detained at the Kapchorwa central Police station while awaiting further inquiry.
Colonel James Barigye Rukundo head of team seven for Karamoja and Sebei regions respectively told the East African Gazette in an exclusive interview over the weekend in Kapchorwa Municipality that the UPDF was determined to recruit only those citizens with proper qualifications as prescribed under the UPDF Act.
“As we carried out our recruitment drive last week within these two sub regions of Karamoja and Sebei respectively we managed to nab seven young people who had intentions of joining the forces but unfortunately using wrong or fake academic papers and have been handed over to the Kapchorwa police station for further investigationS,” noted Col. Rukundo
He observed on a positive note that from the shortlisted applicants, 22 were successfully recruited from Kapchorwa, 22 from Kween district and 18 candidates for Bukwo, making a total of 62 including 12 females in the exercise conducted at Kapchorwa recruitment center respectively.
He thanked all the stakeholders for the joint support which effectively enabled them to carry out that exercise without incident but cautioned that the army shall not tolerate any applicants who lack the requisite academic papers or are faced with poor medical conditions as well as in possession of a criminal record among other misdeeds..
He highlighted that among the shortlisted candidates who turned up, majority of them were disqualified on medical grounds, discrepancies on their academic transcripts and National identity cards among other perimeters.
As he flagged off the successful candidates, the team leader noted that the exercise was fairly conducted, based on merit and the target was achieved.
The Resident District Commissioner for Kween ASP (Rtd) Hope Atuhaire urged the recruits to remain committed and patriotic to enable them complete the training and serve their motherland – Uganda.
Chebet Evelyne, the Kapchorwa district Chairperson cautioned the recruits against desertion after joining the force. She appealed to the applicants who did not qualify not to lose hope as there are many opportunities still available for them to take advantage of both in the government and private sector. The whole day exercise was graced by senior district officials across the sub region.
The team was set to conduct a similar exercise for shortlisted applicants of Sironko district at Sironko district headquarters soon and Bulambuli district on Wednesday 10 Jul 24 at Sironko district headquarters as a center respectively.
The developments were confirmed by the 3rd division UPDF team 7 public information officer, Maj.Isaac Oware who observed that they will work as scheduled to ensure that the exercise ends successfully.
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