Uganda weighs recruiting South Africa‑repatriated citizens into its army

The Ugandan government is considering enlisting skilled Ugandans who were recently repatriated from South Africa into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Lt Gen. Henry Tumukunde, minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, said he will discuss the proposal with the army chief, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, after meeting more than 1,000 returnees at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi. The participants, including 331 children, have been in a voluntary re‑entry programme launched by President Yoweri Museveni in response to xenophobic violence in South Africa. Many expressed a wish to join the military, citing experience as drivers, forensic investigators, machine operators, plumbers, technicians and dog handlers. Uganda plans to identify the most qualified returnees for training and to support entrepreneurial ventures through programmes such as GROW, the Youth Livelihood Programme and Emyooga. The re‑entry cohort is set to complete the programme on 17 July, with a pass‑out ceremony presided over by President Museveni.