A Local Defence Unit (LDU) applicant, Jastus Arseman Kibirango, 21, has been arrested and detained for attempting to bribe a Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) officer in order to be recruited into the force.
The incident happened yesterday during the recruitment exercise for applicants from Mukono and Buikwe districts that took place at Jinja Airstrip.
The suspect, who is a resident of Najjemba Town Council in Buikwe district reportedly offered Shs10,000 as a bribe to the officer.
During questioning on why the suspect attempted to bribe the UPDF Major General, Kibirango said he was late and his colleagues had already left him yet he desperately wanted to join the force.
The UPDF spokesperson in Jinja, Lt. Jude Wandera confirmed the arrest and said he would further be handed over to police for detention.
” You cannot bribe a UPDF officer. This exercise has been clearly announced and there was no money element indicated in the announcement,” he said.
Lt. Wandera further revealed that the exercise only wanted 290 applicants from Busoga sub-region and greater Mukono, however, some of the applicants who had not been shortlisted also turned up for the interview.
The nationwide exercise is targeting 10,000 successful LDU recruits who will then be distributed for further training in the various army training institutions and colleges across the country.
