Gulu City to host 250 security personnel for sports competition

20 August 2026, 11:24 pm

By Hillary Opio Omara

Lira, Northern — More than 250 security personnel from across Northern Uganda are set to participate in inter-agency sports matches in Gulu City from 24 August to 4 September 2026.

The games, organised by the 4th Infantry Division of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for the Acholi Sub-region and West Nile, will bring together personnel from the UPDF, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service and Uganda Wildlife Authority.

According to 4th Infantry Division spokesperson Maj Bilal Katamba, the initiative aims to strengthen cooperation and teamwork among security agencies through sports.

The competitions will include athletics, football, netball, volleyball, handball and taekwondo, with matches taking place at St Joseph Layibi College in Gulu City.

Maj Katamba said the games are part of efforts to improve the physical fitness and professional effectiveness of security personnel, while also providing an opportunity for officers from different institutions to interact and build stronger working relationships.

He said the annual sporting activities are also intended to strengthen the capacity of security personnel to remain physically fit and ready to carry out their duties at all times.

Beyond physical fitness, Maj Katamba noted that the games would promote cooperation and friendship among the UPDF, Police, Prisons Service and Uganda Wildlife Authority, whose personnel often work together in different parts of the country.

He added that sports can also help reduce stress among security personnel, who operate under demanding conditions and are frequently deployed in different parts of the country.

Maj Katamba told Radio Q FM that members of the public interested in watching the matches would be allowed to attend free of charge.