At least thirteen people have been arrested by the Uganda People’s Defence Force recruitment team during the ongoing UPDF recruitment exercise in Jinja City.
The suspects were intercepted at Kakindu Stadium in Jinja South Division, where applicants seeking to join the UPDF had gathered, according to Brig Gen Peter Gaitano Emola, the UPDF recruitment overseer for the Busoga region.
‘We intercepted 13 people who attempted to infiltrate the recruitment exercise and join the group after screening,’ Brig Gen Emola said.
He explained that the suspects forged the cards issued to applicants after realising that some applicants had not turned up for the exercise.
‘As the list of screened applicants was being read, the suspects noted the names of those who were absent and used forged cards bearing their names to gain entry into the recruitment exercise,’ Brig Gen Emola said.
Brig Gen Emola disclosed that three of the suspects are women, while 10 are men. He said the suspects were handed over to police for further questioning.
He added that 126 people were recruited from Jinja City and Jinja District on the first day of the exercise.
The spokesperson for the recruitment exercise, Capt Ibrahim Kasule Ssekitto, said the exercise will end on August 19 in Buyende District. Capt Ssekitto said the exercise is proceeding smoothly, with applicants being recruited on merit.
He urged shortlisted candidates to remain disciplined and avoid forgery to prevent arrest.