The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have been crowned overall champions of the 18th Edition of the Inter-Forces Games held in Gulu City after securing three decisive gold medals.
The UPDF edged the Uganda Police Force (UPF), which finished as first runners-up with two gold medals, while the Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) took second runners-up position after securing one gold medal.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) received the Fair Play Trophy after completing the championship without any gold medal.
The championship brought together four sister security institutions, namely the UPDF, UPF, UPS and UWA, in eight sporting disciplines under the theme, “Building Synergies Through Sports.”
The disciplines included football, netball, volleyball, athletics, taekwondo, handball, darts and range shooting, with both male and female participants taking part in various categories.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held at St Joseph’s College Layibi in Gulu City, the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), Hon. Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, commended the participating institutions for demonstrating patriotism, discipline, teamwork and healthy competition throughout the championship.
She thanked the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and the Service Chiefs for supporting the games, noting that the competition had provided an opportunity for the security institutions to showcase talent, resilience and professionalism.
“You have competed fiercely yet respectfully, proving that while our institutions have different mandates, we remain one family, united by one flag and one mission to protect Uganda and our people,” she said.
Minister Ngabirano congratulated the UPDF on winning the overall championship and encouraged participants who did not win medals to regard their participation, discipline and teamwork as achievements in themselves.
“Every athlete who is here is a champion of national unity,” she said.
Representing the CDF, the Deputy Commander Land Forces, Major General Felix Busizoori, commended participating institutions upon the successful completion of the championship.
He said the games demonstrated not only the physical abilities of the security forces but also their spirit of teamwork, unity and comradeship.
Maj Gen Busizoori said the Inter-Forces Games were more than a sporting competition, describing them as an avenue for strengthening partnerships and fostering unity among sister security institutions.
“These games are not only about competition; their purpose is to promote comradeship, unity and partnership,” he said.
The Chairperson of the 18th Inter-Forces Games Organising Committee and the UPDF Joint Staff Formal Education, Sports and Culture, Maj Gen Richard Karemire, said the championship brought together 1,017 participants from the four sister security institutions.
He commended the participants for demonstrating talent, discipline, endurance and teamwork, noting that the competition had strengthened the shared responsibility of the security forces to protect the people and sovereignty of Uganda.
Maj Gen Karemire thanked the CDF and Service Chiefs for their guidance and support, as well as the technical teams, coaches, referees, commanders and athletes whose dedication contributed to the successful conduct of the championship.
He also expressed appreciation to the leadership of Gulu City for the warm hospitality extended to the participating teams throughout the games.
The closing ceremony was attended by senior commanders from the UPDF, UPF, Uganda Prisons Service and UWA, senior and junior officers, men and women in uniform, Gulu City leaders and members of the public.
The 19th Edition of the Inter-Forces Games will be hosted by the Uganda Prisons Services.
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