As UPDF kicks off the exercise of recruiting it's junior officers in Bukedi South, the force is challenged by the readiness of districts to take up the opportunity.

In Tororo for instance, of the 105 slots that were given to the district by the army, the district only managed to raise 85 leaving a shortage of 20 applicants.

"As office RDC Tororo, we only submitted 85 applications to UPDF leadership," Albert Amula, the deputy RDC Tororo, said.

This according to the district security is due to failure by the district population to meet the academic requirements during application processes.

"The challenge was with requirements needed during application processes. Most of our applicants didn't have credit in Maths and English, some didn't have UNEB certificates and national IDs," Amula said.

Failure by the district to meet its slot has left district leaders disappointed with a section calling for flexibility during UPDF recruitment.

"If UPDF could follow how they used to recruit its Junior officers years back, wouldn't have ended up here. So, let UPDF give a room for replacements just in case poor turn out occurs, " said John Okea, the district Chairperson.

Colonel Saad Katemba, the in-charge of UPDF recruitment in Bukedi subregion, insists they can't be blamed for district's failure to meet the number saying they were given enough time for preparations.

By the end of the exercise, only 73 people were recruited of the targeted 105.

The UPDF will continue with its recruitment exercise in Tororo to handle the two districts of Busia and Butaleja were 70 and 57 applicants are expected to be recruited respectively.