Mukono, Uganda
Ten individuals have been disqualified from joining the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) after presenting forged academic documents.
These candidates had been shortlisted for screening at the Mukono district headquarters, an exercise that began on Thursday.
Major Charles Kabona, Spokesperson for UPDF’s 1st Infantry Division, stated that while forgery is a criminal offense warranting arrest, the UPDF has opted for an administrative approach.
“Forging documents is criminal, but we have decided to brief them about the dangers of the crime committed, advised them to go back for further studies, and then try again during the next recruitment,” Major Kabona explained.
The primary reason for the forgeries was applicants failing to pass the required subjects of mathematics and English at the ‘O’ level, prompting them to alter their documents.
Major Kabona stated the importance of these subjects during training. “We are strict because after the first training, the majority go for more courses conducted in English abroad and lately Mathematics is vital since most of the guns we are using now are computerised and require serious calculations.”
The UPDF has the capacity to detect forgeries at all levels, including academic and health documents.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner Mike Ssegawa praised the UPDF recruitment team for their professionalism and administrative tactics.
“Most of the youths, especially those caught with forged documents, were misled by their parents,” Ssegawa noted, adding that arresting them while sparing the parents would be unfair, but thanks to the UPDF team for recognising the need for counselling instead of arrests.
The screening at Mukono is part of a broader recruitment drive under Kampala Extra, aiming to enlist 766 youths into the army.
Candidates, who have completed senior four and are between 18-22 years old, have been screened from Mukono, Buikwe, and Buvuma, with the process concluding with applicants from Kayunga.
Medical checks at the screening center include physical examinations for scars, missing teeth, skin rashes, and missing fingers, as well as lab tests for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, and diabetes.
The UPDF plans to recruit a total of 9,600 soldiers to bolster its current force of over 46,000 active personnel, supported by an additional 35,000 reserves.
Major Kabona also noted that the ongoing recruitment of 1,600 professionals nationwide is specifically targeting candidates from the science sector.
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