Three individuals have been arrested in Kitgum District for allegedly attempting to bribe officials during the ongoing Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) recruitment exercise.
According to Team Six of the Northern Region recruitment team, the suspects were not among the shortlisted successful applicants in Kitgum and Lamwo districts. They were reportedly apprehended while offering cash to the team leader in a bid to secure enlistment.
The suspects have been identified as Okema Samuel from Kitgum District, found with Shs200,000; Torach Isaac from Lamwo District, with Shs600,000; and Ocaya Joel from Lamwo District, with Shs100,000.
They were handed over to police for further management. Speaking during the weekly security briefing at the police headquarters in Naguru, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said that case files have been opened to facilitate investigations. The suspects are currently detained at CPS Kitgum. Exhibits, including forged academic documents and Shs900,000 in cash, are in police custody. He stated that relevant witness statements have been recorded, and inquiries are ongoing.
Meanwhile, in Kitgum District, 65 candidates were successfully recruited, comprising 59 regular candidates (56 male and three female) and seven professionals.
In Lamwo District, 27 candidates passed the physical recruitment stage, including 19 male and five female regular recruits, and three professionals.