The 14th Inter-forces Games and Championships hosted by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) have kicked off with all Uganda Armed Forces participating.
The games that kicked off in Sunday with an opening ceremony at Land Forces headquarters Bombo will run until September 24th 2018.
According to Gen. David Muhoozi the Chief of Defence Forces, the Games will take place at the Land Forces HQs (LF HQs) in Bombo, Kigo Range Shooting Grounds and Nelson Mandela National Stadium (Namboole). Ugandan participants are drawn from UPDF, Uganda Police Forces (UPF), Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) competing in 08 (Eight) Sports Disciplines with over 800 (eight hundred) Athletes.
The 8 games include; Football (Men), Netball (Women), Volleyball (Men), Handball (Men & Women), Darts (Men & Women), Taekwondo (Men & Women), Athletics (Men & Women) and Range Shooting (Men& Women).
The 14th annual Event is running under the theme “Inter-forces Games and Championship for Enhancing Joint Operations for sustainable National Security and Socio-economic Development”
Sunday’s events at Bombo barracks started with a Route Match from the Barracks Parade Square through the quarter guard and onto mile 21 then to Total fuel station along Kampala-Gulu highway and back to mile 20, and then proceed to Bombo town before coming back to Garrison sports playground led by the Brass Bands from UPDF, UPS & UPF.
CDF Muhoozi says the objective of these games is to continuously, deliberately and consciously enhance Joint Operations for sustainable national Security and Socio-economic Development and Transformation which the Forces have already done and accomplished individually and jointly, in the pursuit of their respective mandates and also in furtherance of national Security and the Country’s Socio-economic Development and Transformation.
“It is also important to maintain cordial relations between the Armed Forces and the Civilians and amongst the Armed Forces themselves. This event aims at promoting and enhancing that important aspect as well” he says.
The games will also be used as a driver to promote Physical Fitness of the Armed Forces, sports and Service professionalism, General and Sports Entertainment to the civilians and members of the Armed Forces, Inspiration to the Youth, Development and consolidation of the sports Talents within the Armed Forces and the Country, Command, Control, Administration, Discipline, Cohesion, Espirit de Corps, mutual respect and Co-operation within the Armed Forces.
The sum total of these activities is to enhance and consolidate national Security and socio-economic Development and Transformation.
“A lot of preparations have gone into this event. I therefore extend mine and the entire Armed Forces fraternity’s appreciation towards all the organizers as well as those from the corporate world that lent a helping hand towards the holding of this event” the CDF added.
He called upon all men and women in uniform to participate in the games.
