The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) will host the 18th Edition of the Interforces Games and Shooting Championship in Gulu City from 22 August to 05 September 2026 under the theme “Building Synergy through Sports.”

The annual event will bring together teams from Uganda’s security agencies, including the Uganda Police Force (UPF), Uganda Prisons Service (UPS), and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), who will compete alongside UPDF teams in various sporting disciplines.

According to the UPDF, the games are aimed at promoting fitness and discipline among security personnel, strengthening cooperation between the forces, and improving operational readiness.

The championship will feature competitions in football, netball, volleyball, athletics, taekwondo, darts, handball, and target shooting.

The UPDF said the games will also help identify sporting talent within the security forces, promote health, reduce stress among personnel, and enhance civil–military relations by building stronger connections between security agencies and the communities they serve.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for 24 August 2026 at St. Joseph’s College Layibi in Gulu City, while the closing ceremony will take place at the same venue on 04 September 2026.

The 18th edition follows the 17th Interforces Games, which were hosted by the Uganda Police Force in November 2023 at Kabalye Police Training School.

The UPDF has called on members of the public to support and participate in the event, saying the championship will strengthen unity among security institutions and promote solidarity with communities.