General UPDF Recruitment Requirements For 2026
UPDF recruitment requirements 2026… Following the release of the UPDF recruitment form, we are pleased to update you with the Uganda Peoples Defense Force, UPDF general entry requirements for successful application for the 2026 intake.
UPDF General Recruitment Requirements
Below are the requirements for the Uganda Peoples Defense Force Recruitments.
The recruitment process will be conducted in two phases:
Online Application Phase
All aspiring candidates must submit their applications Online through the official UPDF Recruitment Portal recruitment.updf.go.ug
Candidates applying online will be required to upload an application bearing:
- Passport photo,
- Academic documents.
- National ID.
Successful applicants shall be shortlisted and uploaded on the UPDF website and shared with respective district headquarters.
Physical Recruitment will take place throughout the country, covering the 135 districts and 11 Cities.
The shortlisted applicants will individually report at the assigned recruitment centres for the physical/medical interviews with the following; a. Handwritten application bearing recommendations from LCI, II, III and GISO/DISO.
- National Identity Card/NIN.
- Original and copies of academic documents.
- Three (3) coloured passport-size photographs.
Recruitment will be conducted using the population figures of each District/City of Uganda based on data from Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), June 2024, that forms the basis of recruitment quotas.
The successful applicants will each be issued with an introduction card to be presented on arrival at the assigned training centres.
Target Categories and Quotas
The recruits will be categorised into two batches based on ordinary academic qualifications and professions.
General Recruitment – Regular Forces: Holders of the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), 18 – 22 years.
Grade Five teachers: Diploma Holders from recognised teacher training institutions, 20 -25 years.
Air Force Professionals
- Professionals with qualifications relevant to the Air Force: Age Limit 18 – 30 years, including but not limited to:
- Pilot Instructors who are qualified Pilots with a private pilot licence, commercial pilot license with instrument rating, instructor rating, and a background in a science combination at A-Level with two principal passes.
- Qualified Pilots with a private pilot licence, commercial pilot license with instrument rating, instructor rating, and a background in a science combination at A-Level with two principal passes.
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineers with a Diploma in aircraft maintenance, specialised in either Engine and Air frame or Avionics.
- Qualified Air Traffic Controllers with any rating and a background of a BSc Degree with either Mathematics or Physics.
- Meteorologists with a BSc Degree or Diploma in Meteorology with a background in Physics, Economics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Geography.
- Graduates with a BSc in Telecommunication Engineering, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.
- Senior Six leavers with a science combination with a bias in Physics and Mathematics. Must have obtained two principal passes, with 12 points and above, 18 – 23 years.
- Holders of the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education, 18 – 23 years. Must have got two Principal Passes with a score of 8 points and above.
UPDF Recruitment Procedure
The procedure for the UPDF recruitment exercise is as follows;
- Aspiring candidates apply to join the regular force get recommendations from LCI, LCII, LCIII, GISO and DISO. Thereafter, they submit their application forms to the office of RDC where they are registered and await collection by the UPDF collection teams that submit them to the office of Joint Staff Human Resource Management which then cause a shortlist.
- The list of successful applicants is then published/displayed on the District/City notice boards informing the shortlisted applicants to appear at designated recruitment centres for the final interviews.
- The recruitment is conducted using the projected population figures of each District/City of Uganda that forms the basis of recruitment quotas.
Eligibility Criteria
Citizenship: Must be Ugandan with a valid National ID.
Age: Between 18 and 22 years for general recruits. Higher age
limits may apply for professionals.
Health & Fitness: Must be physically and medically fit.
Character: Law-abiding with no criminal record, Resident in the area of application.
Recommendation: Applications must be signed by:
- LCI, LCII, LCIII Chairpersons.
- GISO or DISO.
- Resident District Commissioner (RDC).
Various Professionals in the UPDF
- Medical Professionals
- Civil Engineering
- Telecommunication Engineering
- Psychotherapists
- Social Workers
- Journalists
- Sports Men and Women
- Teachers
- Automotive Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Cyber Security
- Computer Forensics
- Computer Science
- Aero Space Engineering
- Masons
- Electricians
- Painters
- Specialised fabricators
- Carpenters
- Heavy Engineering Equipment Operators
- Heavy Engineering Equipment Mechanics
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