Police has arrested eight suspects following a recruitment exercise for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in Kitgum Municipality.

Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke on Monday August 11, 2025 told journalists that the five suspects; Okurut David, Byaruhanga Alfred, Olanya Phillip, Kidega Richard, and Oriema John Bosco were caught attempting to pass off fake academic qualifications in order to secure positions within the UPDF.

“We have warned people before whether a recruitment exercise in UPDF, Police, Local Government; as long as an entity requests you to submit your academic documents during a recruitment exercise, please be cautious not to submit documents which do not speak to the true records of what you went to school and collected,” Kituuma said.

According to the Police Spokesperson, later that night, at around 3:00 a.m., another group of three suspects; Torach Isaac, Okema Samuel, and Kitara Joel was arrested for attempting to bribe the head of the recruitment team.

“They had collected within themselves and brought a bribe of 900,000 shillings,” Kituuma said.

He condemned these acts which he described as a clear indication of the moral decay in our society.

“People think they can cut corners and shortcuts into public service then tomorrow our institutions are the ones hanged because of the conduct of these which does not meet the moral standards,” Kituuma added.

The suspects are currently being held at Kitgum Police Station, where they will face legal action for forgery and bribery.

Despite these incidents, the recruitment exercise itself was deemed successful, with a total of 97 candidates enlisted into the UPDF. Of these, 65 candidates were successfully recruited from Kitgum District, while 32 were recruited from Lamwo District.