The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced a major nationwide recruitment exercise targeting 11,500 Ugandans, beginning Monday, July 7, to Friday, July 11, 2025, according to Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, Director of Defence Public Information.
The drive seeks to enlist both regular forces and professionals, including teachers, IT specialists, engineers, and Air Force officers, to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities and promote patriotism among the youth.
Two-Phase Recruitment Process
The recruitment will take place in two distinct phases.
Online Application Phase
Interested applicants must first submit their applications via the official UPDF portal at recruitment.updf.go.ug, uploading their Passport photo, National ID and Academic documents.
Shortlisted candidates will be published on the UPDF website and posted at their respective district headquarters.
Physical Recruitment Phase
Shortlisted applicants will report to assigned recruitment centres in their districts of residence for medical and physical interviews.
Required documents include: Handwritten application with local leader endorsements (LCI, LCII, LCIII, GISO/DISO), Original and photocopies of academic documents, Three passport-sized photos and National ID.
The physical phase will cover 135 districts and 11 cities, with selection quotas determined by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) population data as of June 2024.
Categories and Age Limits
General Recruitment – Regular Forces. Age: 18–22 years. Qualification: Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE).
Grade V Teachers: Age: 20–25 years. Qualification: Diploma in Education from a recognised institution.
Air Force Professionals: Age: Up to 30 years, depending on qualification. It also includes: Pilot Instructors and Qualified Pilots, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Air Traffic Controllers, Meteorologists, Engineers (Telecom, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, IT) and Senior Six science leavers with strong Physics and Math backgrounds (minimum 12 points).
Recruitment of professionals and S.6 leavers for the Air Force and Grade V teachers will be conducted centrally at Kololo Grounds in Kampala.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must: be Ugandan citizens with a valid National ID, be physically and medically fit, have no criminal record, be residents in the area of application and provide endorsements from local leaders (LCI, II, III), GISO/DISO, and RDC.
Key Warnings
“Recruitment into the UPDF is free of charge. Do not pay any money to any individual or group. Report any fraud to the nearest police station,” Maj Gen Kulayigye warned. The UPDF also encouraged women professionals to apply, reaffirming its commitment to gender inclusivity.
Maj Gen Kulayigye extended an invitation to all qualified, disciplined, and patriotic Ugandans to serve the country through the army, built on the pillars of patriotism, discipline, nationalism, and Pan-Africanism.
“We wish all applicants success and look forward to welcoming new members into our national service. Alluta Continua,” he added.