Mega Fm: 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 wider efforts to reintegrate them into the country’s workforce and harness 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 recruiting qualified returnees who have expressed interest in serving in the military.
Lt. Gen. Tumukunde made the remarks on Tuesday while delivering a lecture on employment and reintegration opportunities to more than 1,000 returnees currently undergoing rehabilitation and ideological orientation at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi.
During the interactive session, many of the returnees expressed a desire to join the UPDF, citing their professional experience in driving, forensic investigations, machine operation, and other technical fields.
“We have many of them who are drivers, and I think the army wouldn’t mind having professional drivers. We shall discuss with General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has been very helpful in bringing these people back, to see whether we can absorb some of them directly because they are very skilled,” Lt. Gen. Tumukunde said.
He noted that many of the returnees had worked as Uber drivers and in other specialised occupations in South Africa, making them a valuable human resource for Uganda.
According to the minister, the 1,030 Ugandans currently undergoing the re-entry programme at Kyankwanzi, including 331 children, represent a significant pool of skills acquired while living and working abroad.
The minister highlighted several government initiatives that will support the returnees, including the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, the Youth Livelihood Programme, and Emyooga.
The rehabilitation and ideological orientation programme at NALI Kyankwanzi is being coordinated by the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps under the leadership of Commissioner Hellen Seku.
The day’s programme also featured presentations by the Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre, Mr. Alan Kasujja, and the Uganda Police Force spokesperson, ACP Kituuma Rusoke, who guided the returnees on responsible citizenship, personal security, crime prevention, and the responsible use of social media as they prepare to reintegrate into Ugandan society.
The returnees are expected to complete the programme on Friday, July 17, 2026, during a pass-out ceremony to be presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who spearheaded the repatriation initiative following the recent xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The programme is designed to provide ideological orientation, facilitate the returnees’ successful reintegration into Ugandan society, and connect them with government programmes that promote employment, skills development, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation.
