**Top Story: UPDF to Recruit 600 Local Defence Personnel in Western Uganda Districts**
**NATIONAL** – The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced plans to recruit 600 Local Defence Personnel (LDP) from six districts in Western Uganda. The recruitment drive will begin on **10 November 2025** and will focus on the districts of **Kamwenge**, **Kabarole**, **Bunyangabo**, **Kasese**, **Bundibugyo**, and **Ntoroko**.
This exercise follows a recent surge of coordinated attacks across three districts in Western Uganda, prompting the UPDF to enhance security and local defence capabilities in the region.
In a press statement issued on **Tuesday, 4th November 2025**, UPDF Spokesperson, Major General Felix Kulaigye, outlined the details of the recruitment process, emphasizing that candidates must be residents of the aforementioned districts.
### **Selection Criteria**
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
* **Citizenship:** Must be a Ugandan citizen with a valid National Identity Card/NIN.
* **Medical:** Candidates must be physically healthy and pass medical and fitness tests at the recruitment centre and training school.
* **Age:** Must be between **18 to 25 years**.
* **Education:** At least **O-Level (S.4)** or its equivalent.
* **Application:** A handwritten application letter endorsed by LCI, LCII, LCIII Chairpersons, GISO, or DISO.
* **Discipline:** Applicants must have no criminal record and be residents of the specified districts.
**Note:** The UPDF warns against presenting forged documents, which will lead to prosecution.
### **Recruitment Process**
Applicants are required to personally report to their respective district recruitment centres, bringing the following:
* Handwritten application with recommendations from LC1, LC2, LC3, GISO/DISO.
* National Identity Card or NIN.
* O-Level Academic Certificate.
Successful candidates will be transported to a training school for further preparation.
### **Recruitment Schedule and Quotas**
The recruitment process will take place as follows:
* **10 November 2025:** Kabarole – Boma Grounds (100 LDP)
* **11 November 2025:** Kamwenge – District HQ (100 LDP)
* **12 November 2025:** Bunyangabo – District HQ (100 LDP)
* **13 November 2025:** Kasese – District HQ (100 LDP)
* **14 November 2025:** Bundibugyo – District HQ (100 LDP)
* **15 November 2025:** Ntoroko – District HQ (100 LDP)
The UPDF leadership has called on all eligible candidates to seize this opportunity to serve the nation, with a focus on patriotism, nationalism, and Pan-Africanism as core values in their military service.
