UPDF Announces Recruitment of Over 10,200 Personnel to Replace Retirees
As it gets ready for a wave of retirements, the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) has started a statewide recruitment campaign aimed at adding around 10,200 new members. Online applications will be accepted from June 10 to June 24, 2026, and physical selection will take place in July and August. The exercise will involve both general recruits and specialized professionals.
Pulse Reporter
Saturday, 6 June 2026
The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) is set to recruit more than 10,200 new personnel in a major nationwide exercise aimed at filling vacancies created by upcoming retirements and strengthening the force’s operational and technical capabilities.
Announced on June 5, 2026, the recruitment drive addresses manpower needs across general and professional categories as several batches of officers and other ranks approach mandatory retirement age. Acting UPDF spokesperson Col Chris Magezi confirmed that the process will help maintain force strength while staffing new facilities, including the upcoming UPDF National Referral Hospital in Mbuya.
Online applications will be accepted from June 10 to June 24, 2026, via the official UPDF recruitment portal. Shortlisted candidates will be published on district notice boards, city halls, and the UPDF website between July 1 and 14. Physical recruitment exercises are scheduled to take place from July 20 to August 1 at designated centres across all districts and cities.
District and city recruitment quotas will be determined using data from the 2024 National Population and Housing Census to promote fairness and reduce allegations of favouritism. Lt Gen Jack Agonza Bakasumba, Chief of Joint Staff, emphasised the need for support from local leaders in mobilising eligible applicants.
General recruits must be Ugandan citizens aged 18 to 22 (or up to 25 in some categories), hold a valid national ID, and possess either a Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) or Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) obtained in 2024 or 2025, with a bias towards science subjects. The force is also actively seeking professionals in fields such as medicine, engineering, ICT, aviation, law, education, sports, and psychology.
Health professionals, including doctors and allied workers, must hold valid practising licences and meet minimum academic thresholds. The exercise also encourages applications from women with relevant qualifications. All applicants must be physically and medically fit, have no criminal record, and obtain recommendations from local authorities.
UPDF officials have stressed that the entire process is free of charge and warned against middlemen or bribery. “Recruitment into the UPDF is completely free of charge, and no agents or intermediaries are involved,” Col Magezi stated, urging the public to report any suspected fraud. Presenting forged documents will result in arrest and prosecution.
The timing coincides with ongoing retirements, including Batch 16 officers scheduled for formal send-off in July 2026. Senior figures such as Gen Katumba Wamala are among those exiting active service. These departures create gaps that the new intake aims to address, particularly in technical and medical roles needed for the Mbuya hospital, which will offer advanced care and reduce reliance on overseas treatment.
The recruitment also comes after recent parliamentary approval of salary enhancements for lower ranks. A Private is now expected to earn Shs828,426 monthly, up from Shs650,000, while Corporals and other ranks will see corresponding increases. These improvements have made military service more attractive to young Ugandans seeking stable employment.
Local leaders, including Resident District Commissioners, have been directed to support mobilisation and ensure smooth conduct at recruitment centres. Special arrangements have been made for the Kampala Metropolitan area and certain municipalities to facilitate participation.
For residents in the Kigezi sub-region and other parts of the country, this presents significant opportunities for youth employment in both regular service and specialised fields. Successful candidates will undergo rigorous training and contribute to national defence, infrastructure projects, and medical services.
The UPDF continues to modernise, expanding its role beyond traditional military functions into areas such as healthcare provision and technical support. As the recruitment exercise unfolds, authorities have called on eligible Ugandans to apply through official channels and prepare for the competitive selection process.
