1,300 Security Recruitment Applicants Test HIV Positive – Interior Minister

About 1,300 applicants who took part in the recent security services recruitment exercise tested positive for HIV during mandatory medical screening, Interior Minister Hon Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has disclosed.

Speaking before Parliament’s Assurances Committee on Monday, July 6, 2026, the Minister said the medical screening was part of the standard recruitment process to assess the health and fitness of applicants.

He explained that applicants who were disqualified on medical grounds were not directly informed of their specific conditions, especially in cases involving sensitive health issues such as HIV.

Hon. Muntaka said the decision was to ensure affected persons received proper guidance and counselling rather than being informed in a way that could cause emotional distress.

He added that applicants were given contact details to seek further clarification if they wanted to know the reasons for their disqualification.

The Minister also noted that some conditions identified during the screening are treatable, and affected applicants could receive medical care and become eligible for future recruitment exercises.