Over 500 University Graduates Passed Out as LDUs, See Reactions

In a ceremony held in Olilim, Katakwi district on Friday, a total of 4,212 Local Defence Unit (LDU) personnel were passed out for service.

Of the 4,212 that were passed out; 500 are university level graduates, 3709 hold at least an O’level certificate and 3 are below the O’level certification.

In a tweet published on Friday, H.E the President of Uganda – Yoweri Museveni lauded the beneficiaries of the training leading up to LDU recruitment.

“At today’s pass out ceremony of 4,212 local defence graduands in Olilim, Katakwi, it was pleasing to know that all of them, except three have got at least an O-level certificate & five hundred of them are university graduates.”

“I therefore, congratulate Ugandans for making tremendous progress in building institutions. I reiterated my advice to the graduands to always live healthily and be disciplined if they want to serve Ugandans for long. I wish them good luck.” President Museveni said.

However, a section of netizens have expressed disappointment over “government’s failure” to secure sustainable employment for graduates, especially those with university level qualifications.

Moses Walugembe, a senior reporter at NBS TV said: “…all those young energetic youth with an education investment of up to O’level and above; all they can be is local defence unit askaris? If that doesn’t make you sad, then you have a serious problem Mr. Museveni”

A scholar of Law, Jamil Mujuzi had this to say: “500 university graduates “qualifying” as local defense “people”! That shows the extent of unemployment (under employment) and desperation in the country. That is inevitable because of, among other things, tribalism, sectarianism, and the economy being controlled by foreigners.”