The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) have been crowned overall champions of the 18th Edition of the Inter-Forces Games held in Gulu City.
The UPDF secured the championship after winning three gold medals, according to the organisers’ official results.
The Uganda Police Force (UPF) finished as first runners-up with two gold medals, while the Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) took third position after winning one gold medal.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) completed the competition in fourth position and received the Fair Play Trophy.
The championship brought together four sister security institutions — the UPDF, UPF, UPS and UWA — competing in eight sporting disciplines under the theme, “Building Synergies Through Sports.”
The competitions covered football, netball, volleyball, athletics, taekwondo, handball, darts and range shooting, with male and female participants competing in various categories.
Speaking at the closing ceremony at St Joseph’s College Layibi in Gulu City, Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), Hon. Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, commended the participating institutions for displaying discipline, teamwork, patriotism and sportsmanship throughout the championship.
“You have competed fiercely yet respectfully, proving that while our institutions have different mandates, we remain one family, united by one flag and one mission to protect Uganda and our people,” Ngabirano said.
She congratulated the UPDF for emerging overall champions while urging athletes who did not win medals to view their participation and contribution to the games as achievements in their own right.
“Every athlete who is here is a champion of national unity,” she said.
Representing the Chief of Defence Forces, Deputy Commander Land Forces Major General Felix Busizoori said the games had demonstrated the physical abilities of the security forces while strengthening teamwork, unity and comradeship.
“These games are not only about competition; their purpose is to promote comradeship, unity and partnership,” Busizoori said.
He said the Inter-Forces Games should be viewed beyond the medal standings, describing them as an avenue for strengthening cooperation among Uganda’s sister security institutions.
The Chairperson of the 18th Inter-Forces Games Organising Committee and UPDF Joint Staff Formal Education, Sports and Culture, Maj Gen Richard Karemire, said the championship attracted 1,017 participants from the four institutions.
Karemire praised the athletes for demonstrating talent, endurance, discipline and teamwork, saying the competition reinforced the shared responsibility of the security forces to protect Uganda and its sovereignty.
He also commended the Chief of Defence Forces and the respective Service Chiefs for their guidance and support, as well as coaches, referees, technical teams, commanders and athletes who contributed to the successful organisation of the games.
Karemire further thanked the leadership and people of Gulu City for hosting the participating teams and providing what he described as warm hospitality throughout the championship.
The closing ceremony was attended by senior commanders from the UPDF, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service and Uganda Wildlife Authority, alongside officers, men and women in uniform, Gulu City leaders and members of the public.
The 19th Edition of the Inter-Forces Games will be hosted by the Uganda Prisons Service.