The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) launched a campaign to recruit more than 1,600 people with special skills in scientific fields to bolster the military’s technical capabilities and integrate technology.
“We are looking for young, bright minds to join our forces and contribute to the scientific and technological advancement of the UPDF,” said Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, defense forces spokesperson.
The recruitment process was expected to last 14 days and take place across the country. The UPDF looked for applicants younger than 28 with passing grades in a science subject at the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education level. Recruiters also looked for people with diplomas or degrees in science-related fields. The UPDF is recruiting people with skills in engineering, aircraft maintenance, electricity, masonry, carpentry, cybersecurity and other fields.
“Our aim is to build a robust and versatile defense force capable of tackling contemporary challenges,” Kulayigye said.
In 2009, the country established the Uganda Military Engineering College to develop engineering, technology and any other scientific capabilities in the UPDF. In recent years, the UPDF has established an unmanned aerial vehicle workshop and partnered with the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology to set up an innovation hub in Kampala.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni spoke to a group of scientists who took a two-month basic military training course at Sera-Kasenyi Training School in 2023 and said he wants to see more people with science skills in the armed forces.
“We value the educated young people, and we want them for our institutions, especially the scientists,” he said. “The educated people including the social scientists have improved the quality of our army.”