By Our Reporter
Thirteen people have been arrested in Kagadi District for presenting forged academic credentials during the ongoing Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) recruitment exercise.
The suspects — 11 men and two women — were intercepted after the recruitment verification team uncovered counterfeit Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) slips, forged Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) certificates, fabricated testimonials claiming Senior Four completion in 2024, and fake identification cards.
Kagadi Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Nanshemeza Caroline condemned the act, stressing it was both illegal and needless given Uganda’s free primary and secondary education programmes.
“Submitting forged academic papers is a criminal offence. Why engage in such behaviour when free education is available? I urge parents and guardians to take advantage of government programmes to ensure children receive the education they deserve,” she said.
The accused were handed over to police for further investigations.
Captain Wilson Kato Agaba, Public Information Officer for UPDF Recruitment Team 5 in the Bunyoro Region, issued a stern warning to would-be offenders.
“Our screening team is skilled and committed to detecting fake qualifications quickly. Do not risk bringing them to the recruitment centre,” he cautioned.
Out of 88 shortlisted candidates in Kagadi, 61 — including four women — successfully joined the army. The recruitment team will proceed to Kibaale District before concluding the exercise in Kakumiro later this week.
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