The State Minister for Sports, Charles Bakkabulindi has commended the armed forces for embracing sports in their different institutions.

Bakkabulindi was on Monday speaking at the closing ceremony of the 14^th edition of inter-forces games at Mandela National Stadium-Namboole, where he was the chief guest.

He says sports not only showcases talent, but also can be used as a tool for unity and cooperation.

"Gone are the days when UPDF would be somewhere preparing for wars or whatever, and Prisons is at the receiving end of whoever has committed a crime, Police is busy keeping law and order, and of course Uganda Wildlife Authority would be somewhere else too. But we need each other. And now we have used sports to bring us together," Bakkabulindi said.

He also thanked President Yoweri Museveni for promoting talent in the country, and now among the armed forces because unity is a weapon.

"When we are united, the enemy can’t disorganize our community. I salute whoever initiated the inter-forces games and especially thank our President for encouraging such activities," he added.

This year's inter-forces edition was hosted by the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) and attracted participation of teams from Uganda Prisons Services (UPS), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Uganda Police Force (UPF). The teams competed in various sports and disciplines which include taekwondo, volleyball ball, football, range shooting, weight lifting, and athletics.

The joint Chief of Staff of the UPDF, Maj Gen Joseph Musanyufu, who represented the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen David Muhoozi, commended participants for being cooperative and disciplined throughout the competition.

"The discipline that we use to keep peace and security in our country is the same you have brought in sports. You have shown that we are very fit and ready to defend our country," he noted.

The CDF gave each of the four participating teams a bull, handed to team leaders in cash. He also appreciated the outstanding performers in each discipline with a token.

Uganda Prisons emerged overall winner with six (6) gold medals, six (6) silver medals, and one (1) bronze medal. UPF was in second place with two (2) gold medals, five (5) silver medals, and one (1) silver medal. UPDF was in third place with one (1) silver medal, six (6) bronze medals, while UWA came fourth with (1) gold medal.

The tournament lasted 10 days, from 16^th September 2018, and the games took place at Bombo playgrounds, Kigo range-shooting grounds, and Mandela National Stadium- Namboole.

The chairman of the organizing committee, Chief of Education, Sports and Culture UPDF, Brig Phenehas Kagirema said the tournament was both competitive and successful.

“It was highly competitive and it achieved the achieved the objectives for which it was carried out. The main objective being to ensure harmony and synergy of the armed forces and ensuring good relations with civilians,” he noted.

He called for the improvement of sports facilities among forces to be undertaken to ensure improvement in the next edition.

Uganda Prisons Service will be the host for the 15^th inter-forces edition.