UPDF recruitment: 60 detained over forged academic papers

The UPDF recruitment exercise in Jinja. Photo by Denis Edema

JINJA/IGANGA- Police have arrested 60 people who allegedly presented forged academic documents to join the UPDF in the on-going nationwide recruitment.

About 400 people were also disqualified because they were not physically and medically fit to serve in the army.

The acting Third Infantry Division Public Relations Officer, Lt Wilson Agaba Kato, said some of the affected applicants in Jinja presented forged academic papers and National Identity cards during the recruitment exercise in Bugembe Town Council, Jinja.

The recruitment covered the districts of Mayuge, Jinja and Namayingo.

In Iganga District, Capt Lawrence O’Duraga, the UPDF Spokesman for the Iganga Recruitment Centre, said those who were turned away lacked National Identity cards, others were over qualified, while those with health problems could not be absorbed in the army.

The Iganga centre needed only 120 recruits from the districts of Bugiri, Luuka and Iganga.

Lt Agaba said police would charge the suspects with forgery.