UPDF To Host 18th Security Forces Games And Shooting Championship In Gulu

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) will host the 18th edition of the Security Forces Games and Shooting Championship in Gulu City from August 22 to September 5, 2026.

The two-week championship will bring together personnel from the UPDF, Uganda Police Force (UPF), Uganda Prisons Service and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) under the theme, “Building Synergy Through Sports.”

Addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, the Deputy Director Defence Public Information, Col Henry Obbo, said the championship is aimed at strengthening cooperation and teamwork among the country’s security agencies.

Col Obbo said the games will also promote civil-military cooperation, improve the health and wellbeing of security personnel and provide an avenue for reducing stress through sports and recreation.

“The games are intended to strengthen inter-agency cooperation among the security forces while promoting civil-military cooperation, improving the health and wellbeing of personnel and reducing stress,” Col Obbo said.

He added that the championship will provide an opportunity to identify and nurture sporting talent within the security forces, noting that some of the participants could go on to contribute to Uganda’s wider sporting fraternity.

Col Obbo called upon members of the public in Gulu and surrounding areas to turn up in large numbers to watch and cheer on the participating teams.

He said public participation would not only add excitement to the championship but also contribute to strengthening solidarity and civil-military relations.

The championship will feature women’s netball, men’s football, men’s volleyball, men’s handball, athletics, taekwondo, darts and range shooting.

Athletics, taekwondo, darts and shooting will be open to both male and female participants.