By Swift Reporter
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced a nationwide recruitment exercise targeting more than 10,000 new personnel as the military seeks to replace retiring officers and strengthen its operational, technical, medical and administrative capacity.
The recruitment campaign, which will run across all districts and cities in Uganda, will target both ordinary recruits and skilled professionals in a wide range of disciplines, including information technology, engineering, aviation, healthcare, law, education, sports, social sciences and music.
Addressing journalists on Friday, Acting Director of Defence Public Information Col Chris Magezi said applications will be submitted online between June 10 and June 24, while physical recruitment exercises will be conducted nationwide from July 20 to August 1.
“The recruitment is aimed at replacing personnel who are retiring and strengthening the UPDF’s growing capabilities across different sectors,” Col Magezi said.
According to the UPDF, district recruitment quotas will be determined using figures from the 2024 National Population and Housing Census to ensure fairness and avoid allegations of favoritism.
Under the general recruitment category, applicants must possess either a Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) or Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) obtained in 2024 or 2025 and fall within the prescribed age limits. Successful candidates will undergo military training before deployment.
The army is also seeking specialists across various fields. These include ICT professionals, engineers, logistics experts, pilots, aviation technicians, meteorologists, medical officers, specialist doctors, allied health professionals, lawyers, teachers, social scientists, psychologists, sports personnel and artists.
Col Magezi said the recruitment comes at a time when the UPDF is expanding its operations and infrastructure, including preparations to operationalize the newly completed UPDF National Referral Hospital in Mbuya.
“We have many projects. For instance, we have a fully-fledged National Referral Hospital. The more qualified and competent officers we recruit, the better positioned we are to deliver on our mandate,” he said.
The UPDF National Referral Hospital is expected to become a major centre for specialized medical care, reducing the need to send patients abroad for advanced treatment. According to military officials, procurement of sophisticated medical and diagnostic equipment is ongoing before the facility becomes fully operational.
Magezi revealed that the hospital will also provide services to members of the public, although patients seeking specialized treatment will be required to pay fees to sustain high-quality healthcare services.
The recruitment drive is further necessitated by the impending retirement of hundreds of military officers across various ranks. More than 500 officers are expected to retire in the coming months, including several senior commanders.
A circular issued by Chief of Staff Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba and shared with local governments indicates that approximately 10,200 personnel will be recruited during the exercise.
The UPDF has urged qualified Ugandans, including women, to apply and cautioned the public against paying money to brokers or middlemen claiming to influence the recruitment process.
“Recruitment into the UPDF is completely free of charge,” Magezi emphasized. “Anyone involved in forgery, impersonation or recruitment fraud will be arrested and prosecuted.”
Shortlisted candidates will be published on the UPDF website, district notice boards and city hall notice boards. Applicants will be required to present handwritten applications, recommendation letters from designated local leaders and valid national identity cards during the selection process.
The recruitment exercise is one of the largest undertaken by the UPDF in recent years and reflects the military’s continued expansion as it seeks to enhance national defence capabilities, healthcare services, technical expertise and specialized operations.
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