Representatives of the interforces games in a group photo on 7th September 2022 at UWA headquaters in Kamwokya
Uganda’s sister security forces conduct a media launch for the 16th Edition of the Interforce Games and Championships at the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Kamwokya, Kampala.
The launch on, 7th September 2022 was to officially communicate the programme of activities that will run from 19th – 30 September 2022. This year’s games will be hosted by Uganda Wildlife Authority, under the theme “Interforce Collaboration – A Key To Effective Wild Life Protection”
The participating sister security forces include Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police Force (UPF), Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Executive Director Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Mr. Sam Mwandha making his remarks at the launch of interforces games on 7th September 2022 at UWA headquaters in Kamwokya
Speaking at the Media launch, the Executive Director UWA Mr. Sam Mwandha noted that the Interforce Games and Championships were part of the sports calendar in Uganda.
“The 16th interforce games and sports competitions shall be held in Queen Elizabeth conservation area to showcase to our supporters and partners what we have therein as UWA and give them the justification to visit the park. The different games shall be held at Mweya, Nyamugasani shooting range, Katwe Town Council and additional athletics at Bombo barracks,” Mr. Mwandha highlighted.
He noted other activities to uphold the Corporate Social Responsibility like planting trees in Katwe Town Council and working with the Public Health Center to provide awareness campaigns will be embraced during the exercise.
He concluded by inviting people to turn and be entertained by their security forces and also use the opportunity to explore the beauty of the country, while on Queen Elizabeth National Park
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Wilson Mbadi, the UPDF Chief of Education, Sports and Culture, Brig Gen Wilson Muhabuzi, noted that the games are rotational and aim at enhancing joint national operations for sustainable national security, socio-economic development and transformation. “Interforce cooperation is a key to effective protection of wildlife in Uganda,” he added.
Executive Director Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Mr. Sam Mwandha making his remarks at the launch of interforces games on 7th September 2022 at UWA headquaters in Kamwokya
Brig Gen Muhabuzi also mentioned that the games aim at enhancing the spirit of cohesion, oneness, friendship, esprit de corps, mutual respect, brotherhood and cooperation among the armed forces. “In these games, we also emphasize enhancement of good relations that happily exist between the armed forces and the wanainchi,” he re-echoed.
He implored security organizations and the media fraternity to remain steadfast for a cause that is truly noble.
The Uganda Police Director for Welfare, Production and Sports, AIGP Charles Birungi on behalf of the Inspector General of Police re -echoed the position of the Uganda Police Force in supporting the games.
He said that the protection of wildlife is everyone’s responsibility. “The UPF is working together with all the other agencies involved in the protection of the environment and wildlife to be able to promote their protection, vows to protect the environment and wildlife as a key to the future of this planet,” he added.
AIGP Birungi also noted that sports bring the different personnel in the sister security forces together outside and beyond the operation time.
Brig Gen Wilson Muhabuzi the UPDF Chief of Education Sports and Culture (CESC) making his remarks at the interforces games launch at UWA headquarters in kamwokya
He pointed out that sports provide employment to several youths and diverts them from crime related activities.
He reiterated the UPF‘s readiness to participate in the 8 disciplines identified for this year.
The representative of the Commissioner General of Prisons (CGP) Commissioner of Prisons Julius Aloka urged the participants to show their best and respect their work. “The interforce games and championships has become an integral sporting event in our sports calendar that annually brings together the armed forces of the country. This year’s theme stands in line with the core objective of promoting a crime free, productive and peaceful country,” he said.
He appealed to every Ugandan to be part of this conservation agenda following the security forces as frontrunners.
He stated that Uganda Prisons Service is an active participant in this annual event, which uses sports as a deliberate tool to enhance social rehabilitation of offenders.
Mr. Aloko also noted that sports provide an avenue for the development of professional sportsmen, healthy-living, teamwork and discipline of both staff and inmates and further builds and enhances positive relations within and outside the forces.
AIGP Charles Birungi on behalf of the IGP addressing journalists at the launch of interforces games at UWA Headquarters in kamwokya
He added that games and sports are a great source of entertainment for the forces, their families and the public. “The Spirit of interforce games and championships will always dwell and remain engrained in the forces core objectives, that is, co-operation and collaboration, team work among security forces, promotion of mental and physical fitness of all members of the armed forces towards the achievement of their respective missions and mandates, promotion of discipline, professionalism, command, control and administration of the armed forces,” he emphasized.
The program shall start with Athletics on 19th September at Bombo Army barracks, Road Race on 22nd September in Katwe Town Council, Range shooting between 24-29th September at Nyamugasani, Darts between 24th – 28th September at Queen Elizabeth Mweya, Football, Volley ball and Netball between 24th – 29th September at Mweya and Taekwondo on the 24th September at Mweya.
The last Interforce Games and Championships were held in 2019 and hosted by Uganda Prisons Service. 2020 and 2021 were missed due to the COVID 19 pandemic situation then.
Senior officers from the UPDF, UPF, UPS and UWA attended the media launch too.
