Government considers recruiting Ugandans repatriated from South Africa into UPDF
Participants are receiving training on patriotism, responsible citizenship, personal security, crime prevention and opportunities under government employment and wealth creation programmes.
The Government of Uganda is considering recruiting skilled Ugandans recently repatriated from South Africa into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) as part of efforts to reintegrate them into the workforce and utilise their expertise for national development.
The Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, said he would engage the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on the possibility of absorbing qualified returnees who have expressed interest in military service.
Lt. Gen. Tumukunde made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing more than 1,000 returnees undergoing rehabilitation and ideological orientation at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.
During the interaction, many of the returnees said they wished to join the UPDF, citing experience in driving, forensic investigations, machine operation and other technical professions.
“We have many professional drivers, and I think the army wouldn’t mind having them. We shall discuss with Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba to see whether some can be absorbed because they are highly skilled,” Tumukunde said.
He said the 1,030 Ugandans currently participating in the re-entry programme, including 331 children, represent a valuable pool of expertise acquired while working in South Africa.
According to the minister, the returnees include plumbers, refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians, dog handlers, machine operators and other skilled professionals capable of contributing to Uganda’s economic development.
“I came here expecting to meet people who would struggle to reintegrate, but I have found disciplined, resilient and highly skilled Ugandans,” he said.
Tumukunde said the government plans to identify highly skilled returnees to train others while supporting those interested in entrepreneurship through existing government programmes, including GROW, the Youth Livelihood Programme and Emyooga.
He also urged the returnees to remain law-abiding citizens as they reintegrate into society.
Meanwhile, NRM Chapter Chairperson in South Africa, Luzige Isma, appealed to Ugandans still living in South Africa who wish to return home to remain patient as the government prepares additional phases of the voluntary repatriation programme.
The rehabilitation and ideological orientation programme is coordinated by the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps under Commissioner Hellen Seku. Participants are receiving training on patriotism, responsible citizenship, personal security, crime prevention and opportunities under government employment and wealth creation programmes.
The returnees are expected to complete the programme on Friday, July 17, during a pass-out ceremony to be presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who initiated the repatriation exercise following the recent xenophobic violence in South Africa.
