At least 400 youths are frustrated after they turned up in Mbarara for recruitment into the police force for Rwizi region on Monday, only to be turned away.
According to reports reaching HowweBiz, 255 police constables are needed for the region with Mbarara taking 59 slots, Kirihura with 43, Isingiro 64, Ntungamo 59 and Ibanda only 30.
But, despite hundreds turning up for the recruitment exercise, only 200 were selected to compete for the only available 59 slots for Mbarara district.
Samson Kasasira the Rwizi region police spokesperson says most of those who were turned away were above the age of 25 yet the recruitment targeted 18-25 and that some did not possess Uganda Certificate of Education- UCE and lacked five credits including English and Mathematics.
One of the frustrated youth, Justine Musiime says she was rejected because she had turned 26 years and that as a female, should have been accorded special consideration.
Another contestant Jackson Tugume who was also kicked out because he is 28 says that the police force did not put into consideration the challenge of unemployment among the youth.
In Kasese, more than 600 youth showed up for the recruitment exercise at Kasese Primary School, however the team leader Rwenzori East Olivia Rosemary Wawire says the target is to recruit 87.
In Wakiso district only 144 youths turned up at Kavumba recreation centre.
Felix Ndyomugenyi, who is the team leader says that after screening they retained 44.