By Diana N. Kintu
Uganda: For two weeks in Gulu, the officers Ugandans usually see guarding checkpoints and patrolling communities will instead face each other across a netball court.
Uganda’s security agencies have announced the 18th Inter-Forces Games and Shooting Championship, running from 22 August to 5 September 2026 in Gulu City, under the theme:
“Building Synergy through Sports.”
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) will host this year’s edition, fielding competitors alongside the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service and Uganda Wildlife Authority in both men’s and women’s events.
Behind the sport is a more deliberate goal. The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs said the games are designed to sharpen operational readiness, strengthen cooperation between security agencies, build public confidence through improved
The UPDF, alongside the Police, Prisons Service and Wildlife Authority, has invited members of the public to attend and support the Games
civil-military relations, identify sporting talent within the services, and promote health while reducing stress among personnel.
Competitors will take part in netball (women), football (men), volleyball (men), handball (men), athletics (women and men), taekwondo (women and men), darts (women and men), and range shooting (women and men).
The Opening Ceremony takes place on 24 August 2026 at St. Joseph’s College Layibi, Gulu City, the same venue that will host the Closing Ceremony on 4 September 2026.
Hosting duties rotate between the participating forces. The Uganda Police Force hosted the 17th edition in November 2023; this year, that responsibility passes to the UPDF in Gulu.
The UPDF, alongside the Police, Prisons Service and Wildlife Authority, has invited members of the public to attend and support the Games.
For two weeks, Gulu becomes the meeting point for forces that spend the rest of the year working side by side but rarely competing head-to-head, a test, in its own way, of how well they actually know each other off duty.
Source: Department of Defence Public Information, Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Uganda.