Defilement suspect nabbed during UPDF recruitment in Lira

17 August 2026, 8:55 pm

By Winnie Auma

The UPDF recruitment exercise for Otuke and Alebtong districts has led to the arrest of a man wanted in connection with a defilement case in Adwari sub-county, Otuke District.Michael Ojok , 21, was arrested at around 10 a.m. on Monday, August 17th, 2026, after he turned up for the recruitment exercise held at Lira Mayor’s Garden in Lira City.

Maj. Bilal Katamba, the UPDF Public Information Officer for the 4 Infantry Division and Recruitment Team Six, says police had earlier alerted the recruitment team that Ojok, who was wanted in connection with a criminal case, had applied to join the army.

Katamba says the recruitment team acted on the information and arrested Ojok before handing him over to police for further investigations.He has warned people with criminal records against attempting to join the UPDF, saying applicants are required to have clean criminal records.

Katamba says security agencies work together during the recruitment process to ensure that individuals with criminal backgrounds do not gain entry into the force.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Otuke, Isaac Opio Opeo, says Ojok is a resident of Corner Adwari in Adwari Sub-county.Opio says Ojok is alleged to have defiled a 16-year-old girl, and that the case was reported at Otuke Central Police Station on June 26th, 2026.

He says Ojok fled the area after the case was reported but was recently identified after applying to join the UPDF.Opio says Ojok was arrested and handed over to police at Otuke Central Police Station, where he is currently detained as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, in Alebtong district, the Assistant RDC, Lameck Ongom, says the recruitment exercise went on smoothly, with many applicants successfully going through the selection process.

Ongom attributes the high turnout to the prevailing peace in the country, which he says has encouraged young people to join the UPDF for employment opportunities.

However, Ongom says two other applicants were arrested for allegedly attempting to use forged academic documents.

He says a female applicant reportedly presented her sister’s academic documents, while a male applicant allegedly attempted to replace a friend who had failed to turn up for the recruitment exercise.

The two suspects were detected at the final stage of the recruitment process and are currently detained at Lira City Central Police Station as investigations continue.

A total of 96 candidates have been selected from the 208 shortlisted applicants in Otuke and Alebtong districts.