A planned Uganda Peoples Defence Force - UPDF recruitment has been cancelled in the districts of Kapchorwa, Bukwo and Kween following a confirmed outbreak of the Marburg hemorrhagic fever in some parts of Eastern Uganda.
According to the initial plan, recruitment was scheduled for October 28 at Kapchorwa District Headquarters. But the region has been devastated by an outbreak of Marburg, a highly virulent epidemic-prone disease associated with high case fatality rates. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected persons or animals.
The Ministry of Health officially declared the outbreak on October 19, 2017. As of October 24, five cases have been reported - one confirmed case, one probable case with an epidemiological link to the confirmed case, and three suspected cases including two health workers.
A statement issued by UPDF Spokesman Brig. Richard Karemire says that the activity has been called off and that the districts will be accorded another chance in future.
"We wish to sincerely thank you all for the positive enthusiasm shown towards serving our country Uganda in the noble military profession. Please do not lose hope; there will be another chance in future," Brig Karemire said.
The ongoing recruitment drive started on October 16 and will run until October 29. It seeks to address the human resource deficit arising out of the retirement of more than 3000 personnel who will be leaving the Force over the next two years. Up to 1700 of these will be retiring in November, this year.
This year's recruitment covers only regular personnel, with a minimum qualification of the Uganda Certificate of Education, and science biased professionals, with not more than the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education - UACE obtained over the last three years.
The drive will continue tomorrow in the districts of Busia, Amudat, Nakapiripirit, Moroto, Napak, Kotido, Kaabong, Butaleja, Tororo, Mbale, Sironko, Bulambuli, Bududa, Manafwa and Bukedea.
