The UPDF Military Police Brigade headquarters team beat Task Force Nalukolongo by one goal to Nil (1-0) to win this year’s Commandants Cup 2023.
The only goal was scored by Matsiko Hassan in the hotly contested football match amid pomp and glamour from the fans.
This year’s winners walked away with a Bull worth Ugx 2,000,000 (two million) and the losers a goat worth Ugx 300,000.
Other best-performing players such as the top scorer of the tournament, the best goalkeeper and the best team, among others; all walked away with heavy envelopes.
In his address to the troops after the final match, the guest of honour and UPDF Deputy Chief of Education, Sports and Culture, Col DK Taremwa, congratulated the winning team and commended the UPDF leadership for organizing the tournament.
He urged Military Police (MP) personnel to educate their children for a bright future by making use of the available structures within UPDF units and formations.
Col Taremwa told troops that UPDF has got 52 education institutions purposely to help soldiers’ children.
He thanked the Commandant Maj Gen Don Nabasa and his team for organizing the tournament, saying UPDF will always promote sports to build teamwork and physically fit soldiers.
Speaking at the same function, the Boto Military Police Brigade, Col Silvia Meeme, who represented the Commandant Military Police Maj Gen Don Nabasa said the military involves itself in sports during peacetime.
Col Meeme told the troops that football builds teamwork and love. She added that civilians had requested to play a friendly match with soldiers to strengthen civil-military relations.
Col Meeme thanked Ababet Uganda Limited for supplying kits for the tournament.
The Commandants Cup started way back in 2018 under the leadership of the then MP Commandant Maj Gen Sabiti Muzeyi. It has been going on annually and was only halted in 2020 due to the Outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
This tournament among MP troops was started to identify those good players who would later represent the MP team in the annual Chief of Defence Forces Cup.
Other tournament sponsors included: Vox lounge Makindye, Club Beruga, and individuals like Mr. Kamya from Kaazi, Mr. Hamiddu and Hajj Haruna Mubiru.
The Commandants Cup started on 4th January 2023 and has been running for two weeks between six (06) teams that makeup Military Police namely: Brigade headquarters Makindye, 10bn Kiseka, 12 bn Luzira, 14 Mbuya, 16 bn Brigade headquarters and Task Force Nalukolongo.
The Military Police football team is now ready to compete in the Chief of Defence Forces Cup 2023 after selecting the best players from the tournament.
The function was also attended by the Deputy RCC Makindye Madam Keita Kagabi Doreen, DPC Katwe SP Kamugira, Hon Babirye Kityo Sarah, UPDF Senior and Junior Officers, and Militants, among others.