The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces has announced recruitment for qualified Ugandan citizens seeking to join regular and professional service.
The recruitment will follow quotas guided by the Uganda National Population and Housing Census 2024.
According to the UPDF notice, eligible applicants must be adult Ugandan citizens. They must also possess a valid National Identification Card.
Applicants must be physically and medically fit. They must also have no criminal record and must be ready to undergo the required tests.
Applications must carry recommendations from LCI, LCII and LCIII chairpersons. They must also be signed by the GISO or DISO and the Resident District Commissioner.
Applicants must apply from areas where they reside.
Online applications start on June 10
The recruitment process will take place in three phases.
The first phase will run from June 10 to June 24, 2026. During this period, all applicants must submit their applications online through the official UPDF recruitment portal at recruitment.updf.go.ug.
Applicants must upload a passport photo, academic documents from recognised institutions and a National Identity Card.
The second phase will involve shortlisting and display of successful candidates.
This will run from July 1 to July 14, 2026. The shortlist will appear on the UPDF website and at respective city and district headquarters.
The third phase will involve physical recruitment from July 20 to August 1, 2026.
UPDF said physical recruitment will take place across all districts and cities. Specific dates will be communicated later.
Shortlisted applicants must report individually to their assigned recruitment centres for physical and medical interviews.
They must carry handwritten applications bearing recommendations from LCI, LCII, LCIII and GISO or DISO officials.
They must also carry their National Identity Card or NIN, original and copies of academic documents, and three coloured passport-size photographs.
Graduate documents must be certified.
Successful applicants will receive introduction cards. They must present the cards when reporting to their assigned training centres.
General recruits must be aged 18 to 22
UPDF said general recruits must be aged between 18 and 22 years.
Applicants for regular forces must hold a Uganda Certificate of Education obtained in either 2024 or 2025.
Those applying under UACE Arts must have a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education in arts subject combinations.
They must have obtained the qualification in either 2024 or 2025.
They must also have at least two principal passes and a minimum score of 10 points in one sitting.
Applicants under UACE Sciences must hold a UACE obtained in either 2024 or 2025.
They must have at least two principal passes and a minimum of eight points in one sitting.
Their A-Level combinations must align with core science disciplines. These include Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Technical Drawing or Agriculture.
ICT, engineering and logistics roles listed
UPDF is also recruiting information, communication and technology personnel aged below 25 years.
Applicants must hold either a Bachelor’s degree or diploma in IT-related fields.
The listed fields include Telecommunication Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber and IT.
Engineering and logistics applicants with Bachelor’s degrees must have at least a Second Class Upper Division.
The required fields include Land Survey, Quantity Survey, Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Civil Engineering.
Degree holders in these fields must be below 30 years.
Diploma, credit and certificate holders with practical skills must be below 28 years.
They must also have at least three years of experience.
The required technical fields include Land Survey, Quantity Survey, Architecture and Drafting, Electrical, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Carpentry, Painting, Welding and Plumbing.
UPDF is also seeking applicants with practical experience in Firefighting, Search and Rescue, Light and Heavy Vehicle Repairs, Truck and Heavy Duty Equipment Operation, and Lorry Driving.
The vehicle repair fields include general mechanics, panel beating and spraying, wiring, tyre management and maintenance.
Aviation professionals required
UPDF is also recruiting aviation professionals for the Air Force.
Pilot instructors must hold a Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence and Instructor Rating.
They must have a science background at A-Level with two principal passes. They must also be below 35 years.
Qualified pilots must hold a Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence or Instructor Rating.
They must have a science background at A-Level with two principal passes. They must be below 30 years.
Aircraft maintenance engineers must hold diplomas in aircraft maintenance.
They must specialise in either engine and airframe or avionics.
They must also have two principal passes at A-Level and be below 30 years.
Qualified air traffic controllers must have any rating and a background in a Bachelor of Science degree with either Mathematics or a related field.
They must be below 30 years.
Meteorologists must hold a Bachelor of Science degree or diploma in Meteorology.
They must have a background in PEM, PCM or MEG. They must be below 25 years.
Health workers must hold valid licences
UPDF said health services applicants must have a CGPA of 3.0 or above.
They must also hold valid annual practising licences.
Specialist medical doctors must be below 35 years.
They must hold Master’s degrees in fields including oncology, cardiology, radiology, medicine and surgery, neurology, ophthalmology, ENT, anaesthesia, paediatrics, psychiatry, orthodontics, urology, internal medicine, family medicine or medical emergency.
Specialist pharmacists must hold Master’s degrees and be below 35 years.
Medical officers must hold Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees. They must be below 30 years.
Dental surgeons must hold Bachelor of Dental Surgery degrees and be below 30 years.
Nurses must be below 28 years.
Specialist nurses must hold Master’s degrees in critical care, paediatrics or palliative care.
Diploma holders are required in critical care, paediatrics, palliative care, psychiatry and emergency care.
Certificate holders are required in dialysis, psychiatry and intensive care.
Allied health workers must be below 28 years.
Allied health specialists must hold Master’s degrees in cytotechnology, optometry, chiropractic medicine, speech and language therapy, anaesthesia, physiotherapy or dental technology.
UPDF is also seeking degree holders in cytotechnology, optometry, chiropractic medicine, speech and language therapy, anaesthesia, physiotherapy and dental technology.
Diploma holders are required in ENT, Pharmacy, physiotherapy, ophthalmology, clinical psychiatry and health promotion.
Certificate holders specialised in theatre techniques are also eligible.
Other health categories must be below 30 years.
Clinical psychologists and health informatics applicants must hold Master’s degrees in their fields.
UPDF is also recruiting holders of Bachelor of Science in Health Information.
Biomedical engineering applicants may hold Bachelor’s degrees, diplomas or certificates in pathology and mortuary techniques.
Health Records and Information Management personnel must hold diplomas in the field and be below 28 years.
Lawyers, teachers, sports personnel and musicians included
Legal practitioners must be aged 30 years and below.
They must be Advocates of the High Court of Uganda and Subordinate Courts.
They must also have at least five years of legal practice.
Graduate teachers must be aged between 23 and 30 years.
Secondary school teachers must hold Bachelor’s degrees in Sciences with Education.
They must also have valid teacher registration certificates from the Ministry of Education and Sports.
The required teaching combinations are Biology and Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, Chemistry and Mathematics, Physics and ICT, Biology, and Physical Education.
Primary school teachers must hold Bachelor’s degrees in Primary Education.
Sports personnel must be aged between 18 and 30 years.
UPDF said talented sportsmen and women are encouraged to apply.
The minimum qualification is Uganda Certificate of Education.
Participation in any nationally organised sports event, with evidence, will be an added advantage.
Social scientists and humanists must be aged between 20 and 25 years.
They must hold Bachelor’s degrees in Special Needs, Community-Based Rehabilitation, Social Work and Social Administration, Social Sciences or Psychology.
The psychology fields include Counselling Psychology, Community Psychology, General or Applied Psychology, Organisational Psychology and Industrial Psychology.
Musicians for marching band and jazz or live band must be aged between 18 and 24 years.
They must have musical knowledge and practical ability on at least one instrument or vocal skills.
The minimum qualification is UCE or its equivalent.
A music certificate, ability to read music notation and prior performance experience will be added advantages.
UPDF warns against fraud
UPDF said recruitment is completely free of charge.
It warned that no agents or intermediaries are involved in the process.
The army urged the public to report fraud cases to the nearest police station, DISO’s office or UPDF unit.
UPDF also warned applicants against presenting forged or falsified documents.
It said forgery is a criminal offence and will lead to arrest and prosecution.
The army invited qualified, disciplined and patriotic Ugandans to apply for the recruitment.