The Special Forces Command (SFC) emerged as the overall winner of the second edition of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Inter-Forces Drill Competition held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.

The 3rd Infantry Division finished second in the competition, which brought together UPDF formations and units to demonstrate their standards in military drill, discipline and coordination.

In remarks delivered by Deputy CDF and Inspector General Lt Gen Sam Okiding, CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba praised the participating forces for showing significant improvement compared with the inaugural competition.

He said the experience gained from the first edition had contributed to better performance in areas including precision, coordination and cohesion across foot, sword, cane and marching drills.

According to the CDF, military drill goes beyond parade-ground displays. It develops attention to detail, rapid response to commands and adherence to military doctrine—qualities that are important to operations both within Uganda and on international deployments.

The CDF linked these skills to the UPDF's responsibilities in internal security and its missions in countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Somalia.

Gen Kainerugaba also reaffirmed the UPDF's identity as a "people's army," pointing to its contribution to Uganda's defence and wider socio-economic activities.

These responsibilities include supporting infrastructure development and regulating activities in the fisheries sector.

He also credited President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni's leadership with the transformation of the National Resistance Army (NRA) into the modern UPDF.

The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs similarly commended President Museveni and the CDF, saying continued military activities of this nature help strengthen discipline and operational preparedness.

He described military drill as an important foundation for teamwork, obedience, endurance and precision. According to the Minister, the standards developed during parade exercises can be applied to battlefield operations, national defence and peace-support missions.

The Minister further emphasized the relationship between military discipline and public confidence in the armed forces.

He said the respect of civilians, or wanainchi, is influenced by the discipline and unity displayed by military personnel.

He also reiterated the UPDF's four core values: Patriotism, Discipline, Pan-Africanism and Professionalism, describing them as important principles for maintaining the integrity of the force.

Chief Judge Lt Gen (Rtd) Nakibus Lakara said the competition was assessed using standardized scoring criteria, with the same evaluation parameters applied throughout the exercise.

Maj Gen Wycliffe Keita, chairman of the competition's Implementation Committee and Chief of UPDF Training and Doctrine, thanked the CDF for supporting the event.

Keita emphasized that regular parade-ground training has a practical connection to military preparedness, helping personnel develop the discipline and coordination required during combat operations.

The competition was attended by Cabinet ministers, senior military officers and leaders of sister security agencies, including the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons and the External Security Organisation (ESO).

Representatives of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), as well as members of the public, also attended the event.

The second CDF Inter-Forces Drill Competition therefore concluded with SFC taking the top position, while organizers and military leaders used the occasion to underscore the connection between ceremonial drill, discipline and operational readiness.