UPDF Recruitment:Otuke Man Arrested Over Alleged Defilement Case.
According to Isaac Opio Opeo,the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC) of Otuke,a report was filed at Otuke Central Police Station on June 27,2026,accusing Ojok of defiling a minor.
Regina Lalam
By Hillary Opio Omara
OTUKE/ ALEBTONG - A man from Otuke District has been arrested during the ongoing Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) recruitment exercise after being accused of defiling a teenage girl in Adwari Sub-county.
The suspect,identified as Michael Ojok,a resident of Corner Adwari in Otuke District, was arrested on Monday,August 17,2026, while appearing for the UPDF recruitment exercise at Mayor Gardens in Lira City. Ojok had reportedly travelled to Lira to participate in the recruitment exercise, which on Monday entered its second day for applicants from Otuke and Alebtong districts.
According to Isaac Opio Opeo,the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC) of Otuke,a report was filed at Otuke Central Police Station on June 27,2026,accusing Ojok of defiling a minor. Opio Opeo said police had been searching for the suspect before his arrest during the UPDF recruitment exercise.
ARDC Otuke Issac Opio Opeo
He explained that after Ojok was identified among the applicants at the recruitment centre,he contacted the Otuke District Police Commander (DPC),who confirmed that the suspect was wanted in connection with the case.
The ARDC subsequently directed police officers to arrest Ojok and return him to Otuke Central Police Station,where he is expected to face further investigation.
Meanwhile,Lameck Ongom,the Assistant RDC of Alebtong District,said two people were arrested during the recruitment exercise that took place in Lira Mayor Garden on suspicion of forgery.
The suspects reportedly included one female and one male from Alebtong district,whom police prevented from proceeding with the recruitment after allegedly detecting irregularities in their documents.
ARDC Alebtong district Lameck Ongom confirmed the report by Press time
Speaking on the arrests,Major Bilal Katamba, the UPDF spokesperson for the 4th Division Infantry covering the Acholi Sub-region and West Nile,confirmed that the recruitment exercise was progressing well. Maj.Katamba said the exercise began on August 10,2026,across the Acholi and Lango sub-regions.
He urged applicants to maintain good conduct and warned that recruitment into the UPDF requires individuals to have a good reputation and clean records within their communities. According to the recruitment figures,76 applicants have so far been recruited from Alebtong District,while 76 have been recruited from Otuke District.
Maj.Bilal Katamba on the recruitment exercise
The recruitment team is scheduled to continue the exercise in Dokolo and Amolatar districts on Tuesday,August 18, 2026.
Authorities have continued to encourage eligible young people to follow the official recruitment procedures and provide genuine documents during the exercise.
