Thousands Turn Up for Army Recruitment At Kololo, Only 120 Needed

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has started a countrywide recruitment of soldiers to replace nearly 4000 soldiers who retired from the force earlier this year.

The recruitment exercise at Kololo Independence grounds in Kampala attracted thousands despite the limited slots available.

The force intends to recruit only 120 people in Kampala but over 5000 turned up to be recruited.

Professionals from Engineering, doctoral medicine, Information Community Technology (ICT) specialists are amongst those that are needed in the force.

Senior 4 dropouts and senior six leavers that offered science subjects and in possession of a national ID are some of the requirements needed.

Lt. Col Henry Obbo, the spokesperson of Land Forces termed the turn up as overwhelming

Obbo said by 6 o’clock in the morning of Friday, already the pavilion at Kololo was full with over 3000 people and that later on, about 2000 also joined making the turn up to over 5000.

“And the number we expect is just about 100 so we are looking at about 5000% turn up,” said Obbo.

“Generally we have been conducting screenings and we screened all those that we advertised. We wanted people in the medical profession, engineering, vocational, teachers, chemists, senior fours and senior six sciences who have done within a period of 2016/2017 and 2017/18.”

“Right now we are at advanced stages. We have already done the best that have been selected, we already conducted preliminary medical check to make sure they are physically fit,” said Obbo.

He added that after, they will have to go for in-depth medical test.

“When we are taking senior sixes  we also take those for career progression not those who are going to stagnate.”

He noted that the recruits must have 2 principal passes and must have passed mathematics and English at “O” level.