Three recruits collapsed and died during a Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) training session in Kasese District

The recruitment exercise for the new game rangers started on Monday at Katunguru playground, Queen Elizabeth National Park in Rubirizi District.

Hundreds turned up in Kasese District for the same exercise where they were asked to run about 10 kilometers as part of their physical training. In the process of running, several people dropped out while others collapsed.

The deceased have been identified as Jozbert Muhindo, a 23-year-old resident of Kasindi village in Nyakabingo Sub County in Kasese District; Rogers Bwambale, a 24-year-old resident of Kisolholho village in Karambi Sub County in Kasese District, and Alex Bwire, a resident of Kamuli District.

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They collapsed in separate incidents on the road and were rushed to Lugazi Health Center IV in Kasese District where they were pronounced dead.

Bashir Hangi, UWA Spokesperson, confirmed the incident and said the three all died in hospital in Kasese District.

Meanwhile, hundreds of youths seeking to join the recruitment center in Mbale were turned away over a lack of or forged National Identity Cards. Others were turned away on health grounds.

The authority which conducted the recruitment in Mbale City stadium sought to recruit only 120 rangers from the sub-regions of Sebei, Bukedi, and Bugisu in the exercise that started on Monday.

However, many applicants didn't make the cut when recruitment officers sieved them out over forged or lack of National Identity Cards, medical forms, and Uganda Certificate of Education(UCE) pass slips.

UWA is conducting recruitment across the country seeking to employ 850 able-bodied rangers.

The force wants to have candidates holding an "O" Level Certificate of Education with at least a credit in English language or Mathematics obtained not more than 6 years ago.