Authorities in Kagadi District have arrested 13 people for presenting forged academic documents during the ongoing Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) recruitment exercise.
The suspects — 11 men and two women — were caught after a detailed verification of credentials at the recruitment centre. They were found with counterfeit Primary Leaving Examination slips, forged Uganda Certificate of Education certificates, falsified testimonials claiming Senior Four completion in 2024, and fake identification cards.
Kagadi Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Nanshemeza Caroline condemned the act, calling it senseless in a country that offers free primary and secondary education.
“Submitting forged academic papers is a criminal offence in this country. Why engage in such behaviour when free education is available? I encourage parents and guardians to utilise government programmes to ensure their children obtain the education they deserve,” she said.
The suspects are now in police custody pending further investigations.
Captain Wilson Kato Agaba, Public Information Officer for UPDF Recruitment Team 5 in the Bunyoro Region, warned that dishonesty would not go undetected.
“We have a skilled and committed screening team capable of swiftly detecting fake academic qualifications. Do not risk bringing them to the recruitment centre,” he cautioned.
Of the 88 shortlisted candidates in Kagadi, 61 — including four women — were successfully recruited into the UPDF. The exercise will continue in Kibaale District and conclude in Kakumiro District later this week.
