The Chief of Defence Forces Gen. David Muhoozi has received Mission Uganda sports team of Uganda Peoples’Defence Forces back from Kenya where they emerged the overall winners of the 12th edition of the EAC Military games and cultural events.
The welcome ceremony was held at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters at Mbuya hill.
Mission Uganda was flagged off on the of Aug 10, 2019 to Nairobi Kenya and commenced the sports, games and cultural events on the August 11, 2019.
The Awarding and closing ceremony was officiated by the Kenyan President Uhuru Mwigai Kenyatta where UPDF won two gold medals in netball and volleyball, 02 silver medals in basketball and one bronze in athletics.
Gen. Muhoozi, while welcoming the sportsmen and women, commended their excellent performance in Nairobi. He applauded the players for the discipline, spirit of patriotism, team work, resilience and stamina which put UPDF on the EAC sports spotlight.
The CDF also observed that sports and games do not only promote discipline and health but also promote regional cooperation and integration. He promised more support to sports and appreciated the teams for their excellent performance despite limited resources.
“Thank you for keeping the UPDF spirit of performing better with little resources, you have given us a lesson to learn and we shall adjust accordingly to have our sports department supported much better” he added.
The Chief of Education, Sports and Culture Brig. Francis Takirwa who was the head of delegation mission Uganda, thanked the UPDF leadership for entrusting him with the team to Nairobi. He was happy having brought the team back safely.
Brig. Takirwa applauded the players for the team work, nationalism and morale which all contributed to success and commended the host country Kenya for the excellent preparation and asked other member countries to learn from the Kenyan example.
The contingent commander Col. John Mark Ssemanda who is also the Director of sports in UPDF said that the games enhanced discipline to the military profession and promoted brotherhood amongst the EAC partners.
“The games deepened and widened the relationship and understanding between UPDF and other country teams with whom we played” said Col. Ssemanda.
At the same function UPDF sportsmen and women were recognized. They include, Sgt Titus Tugume of kickboxing who was awarded two golds and one silver in the World Championship in Texas U.S.A, IMMAF world championship in Los Angeles California and a Belt trophy, and IKF world championship in Orland Florida .
S/Sgt Sekabira Tonny Africa Military games Gold holder in Nairobi, world championship Gold in Canada and East Africa gold in Rwanda.
Others were Sgt Tumukunde the world championship title in 2013, the world combat league 2010 in Italy and the world championship 2010 winner in Greece. Cpl Sebute Abdul the National Tittle champion of 2019
