By Obed K. Katureebe
The Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) is recruiting young men and women into its ranks. According to the adverts that were ran, they are looking at bringing in educated professionals, on top of other general recruits. The qualifications and other related standards are strict, largely because UPDF wants people of integrity and total commitment.
As expected, the numbers will overwhelm the recruiters, like we have witnessed in recent times. This is quite interesting. Not so long ago, joining the army in Uganda was always seen as a reserve for the uneducated, desperate group or the undisciplined young men and women who were looking for a belonging after society had discarded them. These days people forge academic papers and under-declare their age so they can join the military.
The other category was for people who had no option but to join the army, after being oppressed and denied space to exercise their civil liberties. In fact, most of the now retiring UPDF educated generals joined the NRA, which later became the UPDF, not because they were looking for a career in the army, but because they had no other option. Their had serious existential threats that the only option they had was to join the NRA and change government, or stay back and be picked and killed like grasshoppers by the then rogue regimes.
In fact, in the past, whenever the UPDF would announce recruitment across the country, in some areas, especially in Buganda sub region, they would get zero turn up, or a very negligible number of misfits would show up. This created some regional imbalances of recruits at a certain point. Things have since changed.
The other reason why people despised joining the UPDF, were the very risks that are associated with the profession. I mean very few of us can stand the challenge of going to war, where the chances of returning home in one piece are not guaranteed. We fear death and injuries and in the theatre of war, death is part and parcel of the exercise.
However, the advance in technology and deliberate investment in the UPDF by President Yoweri Museveni has made serving in the UPDF a less risky duty. The UPDF has equipped their fighters with sophisticated equipment, which has made the risk of death while in combat very minimal. Credit also goes to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. He wrote a number of authoritative papers on how to transform the UPDF and these were used as blue print in the transformation of the UPDF.
While in combat, for example, fighters are equipped with modern body armor and the fighting equipment that the UPDF uses is state-of-the-art. The artillery pieces, the motorized fighting units, the air force, the uunmanned fighting vehicles, plus the evacuation air ambulances that vacate the injured for immediate treatment.
Talking to a UPDF retired brother, but who had gone to Somalia as a veteran serviceman recently, he described any battle engagement with the current UPDF troops as sweet as enjoying music in a cool discotheque. He said that even battle engagements take less time because the UPDF just overwhelms the enemy in a matter of minutes. In his view, the current UPDF fighters are serving a first-class army in the leagues of other armies from countries like US, UK, France, Israel etc.
Equally, the renumeration and general welfare programmes have become so attractive. Joining the UPDF is as cool as joining any big corporate organization in Uganda. The welfare of serving officers is getting better and better. Those that are lucky to retire with honours, are assured of their fat gratuity, plus prompt payments of their pensions until death. These have also been enhanced to comforting levels.
Serving in the UPDF these days is regarded as a profound patriotic duty and honor, centered on safeguarding national sovereignty, constitutional order, and contributing to regional peace and stability.
Active service involves upholding strict discipline, professionalism and enduring sacrifice through various stages of a military career.
It is interesting that even those that even those that retire, are a hot cake, especially those that are still energetic. Employers are looking for them big time because of the discipline associated with people who have served the military. Former military personnel are trained to adapt quickly to change, work effectively in teams, and focus intensely on completing tasks. They also show high loyalty and low rates of absence.
Therefore, to those that are young and have the requisite papers, run and grab the opportunity. Joining the UPDF offers young Ugandans stable employment, competitive salaries, professional skill training and a chance to practice patriotism. It provides structured career growth, specialized education and a way to contribute to national and regional peace.
Opportunities now even look plentiful as Uganda rolls into higher middle-income status. The oil revenues that are expected soon will as a matter fact be part of the continued professionalization of the UPDF. Without a doubt, the UPDF will soon be the most rewarding organization to work for. The writer works with Uganda Media Centre. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
