The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) 3rd Division Public Information Officer (PIO), Major Isaac Oware, has warned the public to be aware of a group of conmen from the Bukedi Sub-region who are extorting money from unsuspecting civilians, promising them that they will be recruited into the UPDF as officers.
According to Maj. Oware, the group of conmen extorts up to the tune of Ugx 350,000, which they have been instructing the victims to send via mobile money transfers.
“The conmen are impersonating senior UPDF and security officers, extorting Ugx 350,000 from civilians via mobile money transfers, and claiming they will recruit them into the army as cadet officers,” Maj Oware said.
He noted that the public is informed that there is no ongoing recruitment into the UPDF, adding that recruitment into the force is free of charge.
“The UPDF will officially announce through mass media when the time for recruitment comes, “added Oware.
He, however, advised the public not to be lured by conmen and to report any such forms of criminality to security and relevant authorities. He added that the joint intelligence teams are working hard to crack down on the criminal cells and apprehend them.
In a separate incident, Captain Kato Ahmad Hassan, the UPDF 4th Infantry Division Headquarters Public Information Officer, stated that there has been an increasing number of civilians and private security companies in Acholi and the West Nile subregion wearing UPDF-branded military uniforms such as warm suits, jackets, ranger boots, berets, porches, weapon slings, belts, and back packs, among other items.
He stated that they want to warn these individuals in their various positions to cease wearing the things listed above as soon as feasible and turn them over to the Uganda Police Force and UPDF for further investigation.
“Failure to comply with these warnings will result in an indictment against the offenders. The UPDF wishes to restate its commitment to maintain law and order in our communities,” Captain Kato said.
The UPDF Act of 2005, Section 160, Part 2, prohibits none of the security forces from wearing the aforementioned costumes, and the Uganda Gazette, under General Notice No. 1013 of 2019, dated September 18, 2019, issued a notice describing and prohibiting members of the public from wearing military materials and decorations or nearly resembling them.
