Government is considering recruiting skilled Ugandans recently repatriated from South Africa into the UPDF as part of efforts to facilitate their reintegration into the country’s workforce.
The Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Lt Gen. Henry Tumukunde, said the government would engage the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on the possibility of absorbing qualified returnees who have expressed interest in serving in the military.
Tumukunde made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing more than 1,000 Ugandans currently undergoing rehabilitation and ideological orientation at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi following their voluntary repatriation from South Africa.
According to the minister, many of the returnees indicated that they would like to join the UPDF, citing experience in professional driving, forensic work and other specialised fields.
“We have many of them who are drivers, and I think the army wouldn’t mind having professional drivers. We shall discuss with General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has been very helpful in bringing these people back, to see whether we can absorb some of them directly because they are very skilled,” Tumukunde said.
He noted that many of the returnees had been employed as Uber drivers and in other technical occupations in South Africa, making them a valuable human resource for Uganda.
The minister revealed that the 1,030 Ugandans currently undergoing the re-entry programme at NALI—including 331 children—possess a wide range of skills acquired while living abroad.
“I must say that this is a very big pool of skilled people, ranging from plumbers, refrigeration and cooling systems technicians, dog handlers and trainers, machine operators, and many other professions,” he said.
Tumukunde said the government had initially anticipated challenges in reintegrating the returnees but had instead found a disciplined group with expertise that could contribute to national development.
“I came here worried that we were going to receive people who would struggle to fit into our society, but I am extremely impressed. Despite what we are calling a bad experience, Uganda is receiving back people with valuable skills,” he said.
Beyond possible recruitment into the military, the minister said the government plans to identify highly skilled individuals who can train others, while supporting those interested in entrepreneurship through existing government programmes.
“We shall ensure that those who are highly skilled are supported to teach others. Those who want to start businesses will receive assistance, and we are also organising them into a pool of skilled workers so that Ugandans can easily access their services,” he said.
He cited several government initiatives that could benefit the returnees, including the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, the Youth Livelihood Programme, and Emyooga.
Tumukunde also urged the returnees to observe the law as they reintegrate into society.
“I warned them about lawlessness because South Africa has developed tendencies towards lawlessness. That is not something we are going to accommodate here,” he said.
Expressing confidence in Uganda’s ability to reintegrate its returning citizens, the minister said the country would continue welcoming those who choose to come home.
“‘Enjovu teremererwa masanga gaayo’ (An elephant is never burdened by its own tusks). We shall receive them. They are in a very good mood, very impressive, and they will receive certificates after completing this re-entry course,” he added.
Tumukunde noted that although an estimated one million Ugandans are believed to be living in South Africa, only about 1,000 have so far returned under the first phase of the voluntary repatriation programme.
“We need to be even more receptive to their return,” he said.
Speaking on broader continental issues, the minister stressed that Africa’s development should remain the responsibility of Africans.
“Either way, the business of developing Africa is ours.”
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the NRM Chapter in South Africa, Luzige Isma, appealed to Ugandans still living in South Africa and wishing to return home to remain patient as the government prepares another phase of the voluntary repatriation programme.
He urged them to remain safe and continue following official communication from the Ugandan government.
The rehabilitation and orientation programme at NALI Kyankwanzi is coordinated by the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps under Commissioner Hellen Seku.
The day’s programme also featured lectures by Uganda Media Centre Executive Director Allan Kasujja and Uganda Police Force spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke, who sensitised the returnees on responsible citizenship, personal security, crime prevention and the responsible use of social media.
The returnees are expected to complete the programme on Friday, July 17, 2026, during a pass-out ceremony to be presided over by President Yoweri Museveni, whose intervention led to the voluntary repatriation exercise following recent xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The programme is aimed at equipping the returnees with ideological orientation, easing their reintegration into Ugandan society and linking them to government employment, skills development and enterprise support initiatives.
