Uganda’s security forces are set to converge in Gulu City for the 18th Inter-Forces Games and Shooting Championship, with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) hosting the 2026 edition.

The games will run from August 22 to September 5, 2026, under the theme “Building Synergy through Sports.”

The competition will bring together teams from the UPDF, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service and Uganda Wildlife Authority in a series of sporting events for male and female competitors.

According to the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs and the UPDF Department of Defence Public Information, the games are intended to strengthen cooperation among Uganda’s security agencies while promoting physical fitness, discipline and healthy competition.

Competitors will take part in eight sporting disciplines.

The programme includes women’s netball, men’s football, men’s volleyball, men’s handball, athletics, taekwondo, darts and range shooting.

Athletics, taekwondo, darts and range shooting will have events for both men and women, while the designated team sports will be contested in their respective categories.

Beyond competition, the organisers say the games will help identify sporting talent within the security services, promote health and reduce stress among personnel.

The event is also expected to strengthen camaraderie and inter-agency cooperation, while supporting civil-military relations and community confidence.

The official opening ceremony will be held on August 24 at St. Joseph’s College Layibi in Gulu City.

The closing ceremony is scheduled for September 4 at the same venue.

The public has been invited to attend and support the participating teams throughout the competition.

The UPDF has been preparing to host the event in Gulu, with preparations involving the inspection and readiness of facilities for the different competitions.

The 17th Inter-Forces Games were hosted by the Uganda Police Force in November 2023.

The four security institutions participating in the 2023 edition included the UPDF, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service and Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The 2026 edition moves to the UPDF as part of the hosting rotation among the participating security agencies.

The UPDF says it is honoured to host the 18th edition in Gulu, where the games will provide an opportunity for personnel from the four institutions to compete while strengthening relationships through sport.

The Inter-Forces Games are not solely about winning medals. The organisers have identified several wider objectives, including improving fitness and discipline to support operational readiness.

The games are also intended to promote cooperation and camaraderie among Uganda’s security bodies, identify sporting talent and encourage healthier lifestyles among personnel.

For the public, the competition offers an opportunity to watch personnel from the country’s security institutions compete in a range of sporting disciplines while interacting with the agencies outside their routine security duties.

As Gulu prepares to welcome the participating teams, the 18th Inter-Forces Games will combine sporting competition with the broader objective captured in this year’s theme: building synergy through sports.