By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Ugandan scientists passionate about serving in the national army must be laughing in their clenches after the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced a fresh recruitment exercise targeting general recruits and professionals with preferences in medicine, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), engineering and logistics.
In a circular issued by the Office of the President following a formal request by the Chief of Joint Staff Lt Gen Jack Agonza Bakasumba, the UPDF will recruit 10,200 personnel into the forces. The exercise will be conducted between June and July, starting with online applications (June 10-24), uploading and displaying of shortlisted candidates on District/City Notice Boards, and the UPDF official website between July 1- 14, while the recruitment will commence on July 20 at different designated recruitment centres across the country.
Now, speaking at the Uganda Media Centre on Friday, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Col Chris Magezi, said the recruitment drive is aimed at strengthening the force with skilled personnel while also enlisting young Ugandans into the regular forces.
Magezi said the exercise will target alpha general recruits aged between 18 and 22 years. Applicants under the regular forces category must possess either a Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) obtained in 2024 or 2025, or a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) obtained within the same period and meeting the prescribed entry requirements.
Arts candidates must have scored at least two principal passes and a minimum of 10 points in a single sitting, while science candidates are required to have at least two principal passes and a minimum of eight points.
“The subject combinations must align with core science disciplines, including Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Technical Drawing or Agriculture,” Magezi said.
In the second category, the UPDF will also recruit ICT professionals below 25 years of age. According to Magezi, eligible applicants include holders of bachelor’s degrees and diplomas in Information Technology, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunication Engineering, Cyber Security and related disciplines.
The UPDF is also seeking engineering and logistics personnel. Under this category, applicants must be below 30 years and possess at least a second-class upper bachelor’s degree in fields such as civil, electrical and mechanical engineering, architecture, quantity surveying and land surveying.
Diploma and certificate holders with at least three years of practical experience in trades including drafting, electrical installation, refrigeration and air conditioning, carpentry, welding, plumbing and painting will also be considered.
Magezi said the force is additionally seeking qualified medical professionals such as oncologists, pathologists, medical officers, psychiatrists, speech and language therapists,anaesthesiologist among others. He said that this is part of efforts to strengthen healthcare services within the military. According to the Defense mouthpiece, the successful candidates under this category will be deployed in the UPDF National Referral Hospital in Mbuya.
“All applicants must be Ugandan citizens holding valid National Identity Cards, be physically and medically fit, and have no criminal record,” Magezi emphasized.
Applicants will also be required to present recommendations from local leaders, including LC I, LC II and LC III chairpersons, as well as the District Internal Security Officer (DISO).
Magezi warned candidates against presenting forged academic documents and urged the public not to pay money to secure recruitment opportunities.
“Recruitment into the UPDF is entirely free. Nobody should pay any money to be recruited,” he said, warning that those involved in extortion and bribery would face action.
Officials say the recruitment will bolster UPDF manpower with both skilled professionals and young recruits capable of supporting the force’s operational and administrative needs. They also argue that the process, done on a phased manner is to enhance transparency, improve coordination as well as ensuring national participation and ensuring that UPDF remains national in character.
Magezi noted that the National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) 2024 report by UBOS will inform the recruitment quarter for the respective cities and districts in the country.
“It is true that there must be some irregularities in the recruitment process, but once those irregularities are identified, the perpetrators will be identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Magezi warned. “So, what we need are young, enthusiastic Ugandans with the relevant qualifications.”
