The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has disqualified 65,000 applicants during its ongoing nationwide recruitment exercise.
The recruitment, which ran from July 7 to 11, 2025, aimed to enlist 11,500 new soldiers. The application process began online through the official UPDF website.
According to Major General Felix Kulaigye, Director of Defence Public Information, the UPDF received 78,000 applications. Only 13,000 applicants advanced to the next phase, while the rest were eliminated for failing to meet the set criteria.
The next stage of the recruitment process—physical screening—is scheduled to take place at district recruitment centers from August 5 to August 15.
Kulaigye said the screening will further narrow down the pool from 13,000 to the final 11,500 successful recruits.
