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Two die during UPDF recruitment
Some of the recuits undergoing a physical fitness test at Mityana Gombola grounds on December 31, 2019. PHOTO BY BARBRA NALWEYISO
One person on Tuesday died during the ongoing Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) recruitment exercise in Mityana District.
The 27-year-old man identified as Gerald Mulahi collapsed and died instantly after a 5 kilometer run, according to Maj. Yusuf Bilal Katamba, the UPDF spokesperson for First Infantry Division and also spokesperson of recruitment team in central region.
"He was immediately attended to by our medical team but not much could be done to save his life," he said on Tuesday evening.
The deceased’s body was taken to Mityana general hospital for an autopsy.
According to Maj.Katamba, the deceased was recommended to join the army by LC II chairperson in Kalami, Kassanda District though his national identity card reads Kasese District.
The exercise which was at Mityana Ggombolola grounds on Tuesday, attracted over 600 candidates from the districts of Mityana, Mubende and Kassanda, but only 78 passed the test.
Maj. Katamba explained that, every district is given a quota depending on its population and those from other areas in Central region could not be recruited in Mityana.
“Many soldiers are desperate to have their relatives join the army, but we cannot bypass the set procedure to do what they want .Every step has to be followed to the latter and they should bearer with,” he said.
Relatedly, a similar incident happened at Maluku play ground in Mbale Municipality on the same day when 24-year-old Aliyi Wakooli, a resident of Wagagi cell, Nkoma Ward in Northern Division, Mbale Municipality collapsed while jogging.
The 3rd UPDF Spokesperson, Major Telesphor Turyamumanya confirmed the death and said the deceased collapsed shortly after a 5kilomitre road run. He said the deceased was stronger at the beginning of the exercise.
“He collapsed while jogging and our medical team did what they can to save him but were not successful. We tried rush him to Mbale regional referral hospital but he died on the way, “said Maj Turyamumanya.
“On behalf of the UPDF, we sent our condolence to the bereaved family. That is life,” he said.
A relative who escorted the deceased for the recruitment exercise, said the deceased was fit when he started the run.
“I don’t know what happened to my friend because he was fit. He has never complained about any complications, “he said.
The recruitment attracted candidates from six districts that makes up Elgon region. The districts includes, Sironko, Mbale, Bulambuli, Manafwa, Namisindwa and Bududa.
Maj Turyamumanya said that out of the 1250 people reported for the recruitment exercise, only 145 were needed.
The nationwide army recruitment exercise runs until January 5, 2020 before successful candidates start training in different military training schools around the country. The target number is 4,000 soldiers.
