More than 50 young people in Uganda’s Teso sub-region have been barred from joining the national army after being found with forged academic certificates during the latest recruitment drive.
Captain Edrin Mawanda, spokesperson for the UPDF 5th Infantry Division, said the disqualified candidates had applied from Soroti, Katakwi, Kapelebyong, and Amuria districts.
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“There is no room for fake documents in the army. We have the technical capacity to detect them,” Capt Mawanda told journalists, adding that other applicants were turned away over medical concerns, including haemorrhage, hepatitis B, and a small number of HIV cases.
He also warned of individuals allegedly extorting money from applicants, stressing that the UPDF would not tolerate such practices.
Under this year’s arrangements, successful recruits will be required to cover their own transport costs to Kaweweta training school. “They are the ones seeking the jobs, so this time we have decided that they transport themselves,” Capt Mawanda explained.
Recruitment numbers in Teso fell short of targets. Katakwi district enlisted 86 recruits out of a target of 107, Kapelebyong recruited 41 of the 57 sought, while Amuria brought in 100 of the 137 planned. Across the country, 78,000 people applied for positions, but only 11,500 will be selected this year.
Elsewhere, in Gulu City, medical screening also posed a challenge. Out of 127 shortlisted candidates, 23 were rejected for health reasons, including hepatitis B and severe dental problems.
Captain David Kamya, the Public Information Officer for the 4th Infantry Division, said the army’s demanding training programme requires recruits to be in peak physical condition. “Individuals with underlying health conditions cannot withstand the rigours of training without compromising their wellbeing,” he said.
The rejected group included six from Omoro District, 11 from Gulu District, and six from Gulu City. Other disqualifying conditions were hernia, poor eyesight, skin infections, and physical deformities. Three applicants were turned away for lacking a national ID or academic qualifications.
Similar challenges have arisen in past recruitment drives. In 2014, nearly 40% of candidates from the region failed medical tests, mainly due to hepatitis B, HIV, and skin diseases.
This year, only 74 candidates in Gulu succeeded, underlining both the army’s strict medical standards and persistent public health gaps in the region.
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