UPDF’s Tugume Receives Hero’s Welcome After Winning 2 Gold Medals in U.S.

Kick boxing champion, Sgt Titus Tugume who recently won two gold medals and silver in the U.S. has received a hero’s welcome on arrival in Uganda.

The UPDF soldier and sports personality who returned to Uganda on Monday made a grand homecoming characterized by a procession in Kampala city.

Sgt Tugume was escorted by the UPDF brass band officers and cheering boda boda cyclists celebrating his win in the recent kickboxing game in San Antonio City, Texas USA. The procession walked from Conrad Plaza City centre to Uganda National council of sports Lugogo where the welcoming ceremony was held.

The event was officiated by the Representative of the Chairperson of National Council for Sports (NCS), Mr. Cheborion Patrick who handed over the flag and medals.

Cheborion thanked UPDF for joining Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons services in winning medals this sports season.

He attributed this wave of winning to the peace and stability the country is experiencing.

“It is because of the stability brought by the current government that forces can now engage in extra activities leading to such wins,” he observed.

Sgt. Tugume won two golden medals and one silver medals in the 2rd World Kickboxing and Karate Union Pan-American games respectively. The games were held at San Antonio City, Texas USA. Tugume scooped the gold medals in kick light style and contact style both won by knock out (KO) while the silver medal was attained in the point style.

At the event on Monday, the Acting Secretary General in-charge technical NCS, Mr David Katende said that the Council is ready to continue giving support to sporting activities that have a “return on investment” and appreciated UPDF for starting up a kick boxing club.

In his appreciation remarks, Tugume said it was a great honor for him to have represented the country well, however, he was quick to add that the journey has not been smooth.

He thanked UPDF and NCS for the support.

“I feel so great for challenging my opponents from USA, Columbia, Canada and Costa Rica. If it wasn’t the support of UPDF and NCS, I wouldn’t have gone this far,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by the UPDF Director of Sports, Col Ssemmanda John Mark and the acting president Uganda Kick Boxing Federation Mr. Luyoza Patrick among others.