Lango youth scramble for UPDF jobs
An army officer speaks to successful applicants during the UPDF recruitment exercise at Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira City on June 24. PHOTO/CHARITY AKULLO
What you need to know:
Some people were disqualified because they lacked national identity cards or had forged academic documents
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) were overwhelmed by a number of unemployed youth in Lango Sub-region who turned up for army recruitment.
On Friday, hundreds of young people who were in possession of both genuine and fake academic documents turned up at Akii-Bua Stadium to join the national Force.
However, two ended up being arrested for presenting forged academic documents while others were turned away because of health-related issues.
The UPDF 5th Division spokesperson, Cpt Amos Nsamba, said those who did not have national identity cards were also dropped.
Cpt Nsamba said 255 people from the districts of Lira, Dokolo, Otuke, Amolatar, and Alebtong were successfully recruited.
Amolatar sent 34; Lira 48, Lira City 48, Dokolo 44, Otuke 27 while 54 people were from Alebtong, according to official data.
Gender comparison
While Addressing journalists after the closure of the recruitment in Lira City, Brig Steven Mugerwa, the UPDF recruitment team leader in Lango, said more men qualified to join the army compared to their female counterparts.
“Here in Lira, I have completed the quarter which I wanted. So far, 44 girls and 211 boys have been selected and transported for training,” he said.
Brig Mugerwa said some people were disqualified over lack of national identity cards, forged academic documents and ill-health.
“My advice to the members of the public is that let them make sure that before they turn up or show interest in joining the UPDF, they should first go for a medical check-up,” Brig Mugerwa said.
“Many people here have been disappointed because after the medical examination by our medical team, a number of them had hepatitis B and HIV, among other diseases,” he said.
Unemployment challenge
Youth unemployment is a big concern in Uganda. For instance, it is estimated that a total of 400,000 youth are released into the job market after graduating for a market with only 90,000 jobs.
With a population of 34.6 million people as of the 2014 census, where young people (18 to 30 years) account for about 23 per cent, Uganda is one of the countries with the youngest dependent populations in Africa after Niger.
