Uganda’s security forces are set to converge in Gulu City for the 18th Edition of the Interforces Games and Target Shooting Championship, bringing together the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police Force (UPF), Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
The championship, hosted by the UPDF, will run from 22 August to 5 September 2026 under the theme “Building Synergy through Sports.” The opening ceremony will take place on 24 August at St. Joseph’s College Layibi, Gulu City, while the closing ceremony is scheduled for 4 September at the same venue.
The four security institutions will compete in football, netball, athletics, handball, taekwondo, volleyball, darts and target shooting. Both male and female personnel will participate in various disciplines.
Speaking during the official launch on behalf of the Uganda Prisons Service, Senior Commissioner of Prisons Frank Baine Mayanja said the championship gives security personnel an opportunity to showcase their sporting abilities while preparing talented athletes for both national and international competitions.
He noted that the games bring together athletes from across the services, creating an important platform for discovering and developing talent while strengthening teamwork among security institutions.
The Deputy UPDF Spokesperson, Col. Henry Obbo, said the games will help improve physical fitness, discipline and operational readiness among security personnel. He also highlighted the role of sport in strengthening cooperation, friendship and teamwork between the participating institutions.
Uganda Police Force spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said the championship will also support the health and wellbeing of security personnel by providing an opportunity to reduce stress through sport and physical activity.
He encouraged members of the public in Gulu and beyond to attend the games, support the athletes and take part in building stronger relations between the security forces and the communities they serve.
Uganda Wildlife Authority spokesperson Bashir Hangi also welcomed the championship as an opportunity for personnel from the different security institutions to interact, compete and strengthen their working relationships.
The competition will be conducted under established rules to ensure fairness and discipline. Football, handball, netball, volleyball and darts will be played on a round-robin basis, while taekwondo will follow a knockout format. Athletics will feature individual events for both men and women, while target shooting will test accuracy, concentration and discipline.
At the end of the championship, the best-performing forces will be recognized according to their overall medal performance, with awards for the Overall Winner, First Runner-up and Second Runner-up.
For the Uganda Prisons Service, the 18th Interforces Games provide another opportunity for its officers to demonstrate sporting talent, discipline, teamwork and commitment while competing alongside fellow security personnel.
With the theme “Building Synergy through Sports,” the championship goes beyond winning medals. It is expected to strengthen cooperation, promote healthy competition and build lasting bonds among Uganda’s security forces.
