The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has flagged off its team for the 18th edition of the Inter-Forces Games in Gulu, where it will compete against the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
The games will feature various sporting disciplines, including handball, football, netball, volleyball, kickboxing, taekwondo, athletics, darts and shooting.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at the Land Force Headquarters in Bombo, Major General Richard Karemire, Joint Staff for Formal Education, Sports and Culture (JS FESC), said the games provide an opportunity for the participating security institutions to strengthen friendship, harmony and teamwork through sports.
“We shall be competing in different disciplines. This is the spirit. That is why we are getting together through sports, to enhance friendship and harmony,” Maj Gen Karemire said.
He urged the UPDF team to approach the competition with discipline while maintaining the spirit of brotherhood with personnel from the other participating institutions.
“Don’t look at Prisons, Police and UWA as your enemies. These are brothers, but sports is competition,” he said.
Maj Gen Karemire also challenged the team to uphold the UPDF’s reputation for excellence, urging the athletes to demonstrate the same determination in sports as they do in their professional duties.
“As UPDF, we are known for never losing battles. We never lose battles. So, if we don’t lose on the battlefront, how can we lose on the playground?” he asked.
He reminded the participants that although the four institutions have different mandates, they share a common responsibility to contribute to Uganda’s security and development.
Maj Gen Karemire further urged the team to maintain discipline throughout their stay in Gulu, stressing that the UPDF’s reputation should be reflected both on and off the field.
“We are a disciplined force, and that is why we have continued to excel. So, we expect nothing else but discipline while you are there in Gulu,” he said.
The Inter-Forces Games are aimed at promoting cooperation, camaraderie and institutional unity among Uganda’s security agencies while providing personnel with an opportunity to compete, interact and build stronger working relationships outside their routine duties.
