Uganda People’s Defence Forces host 18th interforces games and shooting championship in Gulu
The games will be held under the theme “Building Synergy through Sports” and will bring together teams from the UPDF, Uganda Police Force (UPF), Uganda Prisons Service (UPS), and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) will host the 18th Edition of the Interforces Games and Shooting Championship scheduled for August 22 to September 5, 2026, in Gulu City.
The games will be held under the theme “Building Synergy through Sports” and will bring together teams from the UPDF, Uganda Police Force (UPF), Uganda Prisons Service (UPS), and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, UPDF teams will participate in all sporting disciplines alongside sister security forces as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation and unity among security agencies.
The championship aims to improve physical fitness, discipline and operational readiness, while promoting teamwork, talent identification, health and stress management among members of the forces.
The competitions will feature football, netball, volleyball, athletics, taekwondo, darts, handball and target shooting.
The official opening ceremony will be held on August 24 at St. Joseph’s College Layibi in Gulu City, while the closing ceremony will take place at the same venue on September 4.
The UPDF said hosting the event continues a tradition of strengthening bonds among security institutions. The previous 17th Edition was hosted by the Uganda Police Force in November 2023 at Kabalye Police Training School.
The UPDF has called on the public to support and participate in the event, saying the games will enhance civil-military relations and promote solidarity between security forces and the communities they serve.
