The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) is looking to grow its force with 4,000 more personnel. And as such a massive recruitment exercise has been announced starting December 27, 2019 up to January 5, 2020.

Speaking to the media on Saturday the force’s spokesperson Brig. Gen. Richard Karemire said that, “The main objective of this exercise is to fill the gaps created by retiring colleagues and also harnessing the skills needed in a modern army.”

Adding that, “The imperative has therefore become an a cornerstone in all UPDF missions and drives the institution to keep an all-time force that is modern and professional replenished through a continuous recruitment of able bodied willing Ugandans.”

Karemire said that the recruitment will enhance the force’s capacity to protect the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We continue to maintain a very defensive posture ready to ensure that nothing really goes wrong on our border. We ensure that no infiltration from the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo takes place in our territory.”

One must be a Ugandan citizen aged 18 to 25 and must be in possession of a senior four or senior six certificate with a bias in science subjects, while professionals must be have either a diploma or degree in medicine, engineering, in order to be considered into the army.