Ugandan army recruit collapses during physical drill after skipping two meals

A recruit for Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) collapsed at Dokolo Technical Institute during a physical fitness drill due to hunger.

Captain Ahmad Hassan Kato, UPDF 4th Infantry Division Public Information Officer, confirmed that Levi Okwir collapsed while attempting to complete a 4-kilometre run.

He received first aid and was immediately evacuated by the medical team stationed at the Institute.

Upon recovery, Okwir revealed that he had skipped dinner the previous night as well as breakfast in the morning before going for the physical drills.

"Mr Levi did not make a kilometre before he fainted," Kato noted before confirming that the recruit was out of danger and will undergo further tests to ascertain his vitals.

During the two-day exercise, the UPDF has shortlisted 39 candidates from Dokolo and 30 from Amolatar as it seeks to boost its capacity.

Physical drills were been conducted at Dokolo Institute whereby candidates who succeed to the next phase undergo in-depth medical checkups.