A 22-year-old man has collapsed and died shortly after completing a physical fitness run during the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) recruitment exercise in Apac District.
The deceased, identified as Dono Solomon, was among candidates undergoing the short-distance run, one of the mandatory stages of the recruitment process.
According to witnesses, Solomon collapsed at the end of the run and was immediately attended to by the on-site medical team. Despite efforts to resuscitate him and his prompt evacuation for further treatment, he was pronounced dead. His body was later taken to Apac Government Hospital.
Col David Opeero, head of the UPDF recruitment team, confirmed the incident and explained that the recruitment exercise involves four stages: verification of shortlisted candidates, document verification, preliminary medical checks, and a physical run, followed by a full medical examination.
“In Apac, during the run, one of the participants collapsed. Despite prompt evacuation and first aid, he unfortunately passed away. We have extended our heartfelt condolences to the family,” Col Opeero said.
Meanwhile, of the 91 shortlisted applicants in Apac, 56 qualified for recruitment. These included 44 male regular recruits, 10 female regular recruits, and two male professionals.
