The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has flagged off its team to participate in the 18th Inter-Forces Games, set to take place in Gulu.

The annual competition will bring together teams from four Ugandan security institutions: the UPDF, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

The participating teams will compete in several sporting disciplines, including football, handball, netball, volleyball, athletics, kickboxing, taekwondo, darts and shooting.

The UPDF team was flagged off at the Land Force Headquarters in Bombo, where Major General Richard Karemire, Joint Staff for Formal Education, Sports and Culture (JS FESC), encouraged the athletes to use the competition as an opportunity to strengthen relations among the participating institutions.

Maj Gen Karemire said sporting activities provide an important platform for security personnel to build friendship, harmony and teamwork while competing against one another.

He reminded the UPDF athletes that personnel from the Police, Prisons Service and UWA should not be viewed as opponents outside the sporting arena, describing them as fellow security personnel serving the same country.

While urging the team to compete seriously, he also stressed the importance of maintaining the spirit of brotherhood throughout the games.

The senior officer further challenged the athletes to uphold the UPDF's reputation for excellence and determination, saying the qualities demonstrated in their professional duties should also be reflected on the playing field.

He also called on the team to maintain discipline during their stay in Gulu, emphasizing that the conduct of the athletes would reflect on the institution they represent.

The four participating institutions have different responsibilities within Uganda's security framework, but the games provide an opportunity for their personnel to interact and strengthen professional relationships through sport.

Beyond competition, the 18th Inter-Forces Games are intended to promote cooperation, camaraderie and unity among Uganda's security agencies while giving personnel an opportunity to interact away from their regular duties.