127 Officers and Militants of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), code named “Mission Uganda”, have been flagged off today 21st August 2017 to participate in the 11th East African Community Military Games and Cultural
Events that will take place in Bujumbura the capital of the Republic of Burundi.
The events that will take two weeks from 24th Aug to 6th of Sept was flagged off by the Joint Chief of Staff major General Joseph Musanyufu at a colourful ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence and veterans affairs headquarters – Mbuya hill.
Mission Uganda is comprised of UPDF sportsmen and women who will participate in games like: football, Netball, Hand ball, Basketball and Cross-Country. They are accompanied by other team officials, Referees and Umpires. Other East African Community partner states will also participate.
The EAC military games and cultural events are part of the annual activities under the Protocol on Cooperation in Defence amongst the EAC States. They are geared towards enhancing physical fitness amongst the EAC forces, sharing experiences, developing sports in EAC militaries, and promoting integration through sports and culture.
In line with the Defence treaty, the games and cultural events enhance the defence treaty on co-operation in Defence of the EAC.
In his remarks, Maj Gen Joseph Musanyufu who represented the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) urged the participants to represent UPDF and Uganda as a country well. “I want you to compete and win but the main objective is cooperation”.
The ceremony was attended among others by the Chief of Training and Recruitment Brig Wills Byarugaba, the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs spokesperson Brig. Richard Karemire, the Deputy Chief of Education, Sports and Culture Col Ben Bintabara and other senior UPDF officers.
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