Suspected cattle thief arrested at army recruitment in Luwero

Luwero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) on Saturday arrested a suspected cattle thief who had turned up at the ongoing recruitment exercise in Luwero town.

The recruitment team camped at Luwero Boys Playground in Luwero town council to recruit over 200 youths into the force from the districts of Nakasongola, Nakaseke, and Luwero.

However, over 1,800 youths from the region and outside turned up to try their luck to join UPDF.

Major Ninsiima Rwemijuma the Spokesperson of UPDF Team One, Central Region recruitment exercise explains that during the screening, intelligence officers detected Godfrey Muwanguzi a resident of Kaweweta trading center in Nakaseke who is wanted by Police in the area over cattle thefts.

Rwemijuma says that Muwanguzi was on run and recently survived lynching after he was netted by residents with stolen cattle. Rwemijuma adds that Muwanguzi was immediately arrested and handed over to Luwero Central Police Station.

Rwemijuma criticized the LCI Chairman and Gombolola Intelligence Security Officer in Nakaseke district who recommended Muwanguzi to join the forces.

Another youth was also arrested over forged academic papers.

Living Twazagye the Luwero District Police Commander says that Muwanguzi will be handed to Police in Nakaseke to face charges there.

Hundreds of the youths had been turned away from recruitment on grounds due to lack of National IDs, forgery, minimum academic qualifications, and coming from districts outside Greater Luwero.

But some youths left disappointed that they have been sidelined on flimsy grounds so as to favor the children of UPDF officers.

Sam Muganga a resident of Nakasongola town council says that he was turned away on grounds that he had no National ID though he presented an application form from National Identification and Registration Authority.

Sam Kigula the LCV Chairperson of Nakasongola says that at least 350 youths turned up for army recruitment from his district but they are only 47 slots.

Kigula however tasked UPDF to ensure all 47 slots go to youths born or living in Nakasongola for the benefit of the area.

Kigula has since camped at the playground to ensure only those from the district are recruited for the exercise.

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