Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /usr/www/users/urnnet/a/story.php on line 43 UPDF’s Recruitment Team Fails to Hit Target in Lira Over STDs :: Uganda Radionetwork
The applicants were subjected to written and physical exercises including a five-kilometre run and medical tests for high blood pressure, Hepatitis B, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like syphilis and gonorrhoea. Those found to be positive were automatically disqualified.
The Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) recruitment team in
Lira has failed to meet its target after several applicants tested positive
for sexually transmitted diseases.
The two-day exercise was targeting 495 recruits from the districts of Amolatar, Alebtong, Otuke, Dokolo, and Lira. However, only 299 applicants passed the test.
The applicants were subjected to written and physical exercises
including a five-kilometre run and medical tests for high blood pressure, Hepatitis B, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like syphilis and gonorrhoea. Those found to be positive were automatically disqualified.
Steven Mugerwa, the recruitment team leader in Lira says the
general turn-up was high but most candidates especially females were disqualified
after they tested positive for different illnesses, mostly STDs. Only 44 female applicants passed the test at the end of the exercise on Friday evening.
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However, some candidates were disqualified on grounds that
they have fake academic documents, had physical disabilities and were of advanced
age. Mugerwa is, however, concerned that despite the disqualifications, fewer females
are generally showing interest in joining the force.
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But Winifred Constance Akello, a secondary school teacher who
graduated from college early this year believes
that the process was not fair because she was disqualified even without checking her
documents.
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Kizito Edola, a resident of Dokolo also missed the chance because he arrived late at the recruitment venue
while Peter Odongo, a resident of Lira District was disqualified because
there is a mismatch in his date of birth on the National Identity Card and academic documents.
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Successful candidates have been transported to Kaweweta Recruit Training School, in Nakaseke District.
