The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces team that have been participating in the East Africa Community (EAC) Military games and cultural events under code name “Mission Uganda” yesterday 23 August 2019 emerged triumphant after winning two gold medals, one in net ball and another in volley ball plus two silver medals which were won in two disciplines of Basketball and athletics respectively.
On the same event UPDF’s Joseph Yiga was awarded as the best goal keeper during the competitions. The President of the Republic of Kenya HE. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta -the Commander in Chief of the Kenyan Armed Forces and Chief of the Golden Heart officiated the closure of the EAC military games where he awarded the medals to the best teams and players at Moi International Stadium.
The EAC Military games and cultural events which commenced on the 11th Aug 2019 in Kenya’s capital Nairobi came to an end on Friday 23rd Aug 2019 and UPDF team emerged the overall winner, followed by Rwanda. Kenya came 3rd, Tanzania 4th, Burundi was 5th followed by S.Sudan which participated for their very first time in these competitions and only competed in two games of Basketball and Cross country.
The games and cultural events ran under the theme “One people One destiny through game and cultural events”.
During this year’s Military games and cultural events five disciplines of sports took place in netball, volleyball, basketball, football and cross country.
The President of the Republic of Kenya HE Kenyatta complimented the EAC for granting his country the opportunity host the 2019 EAC military games and cultural events which he said has created a positive impact on Kenya as a country in terms of cooperation and inter military relations.
He further stressed that hosting military games in a country has become a fundamental pillar for supporting the efforts to build the unity and objectives of the region. He finally congratulated the organizing committee for such a great and successful event.
“I want to remind all the participants that the biggest objective of EAC is to foster the spirit of cooperation among EAC countries. In the same way I congratulate our sister country S.Sudan for being part of this year’s games which gives a brighter future and we look forward for their continued involvement in the next Edition”, he remarked.
While speaking to journalists , the UPDF Chief of Education and Sports Brig Francis Takirwa who is the head of delegation team Mission Uganda attributed Uganda’s Excellent performance to ample preparations prior to the games, good facilitation from the UPDF leadership and discipline of the participants.
He had urged all the players from all the participating Countries to play fair games and called on them to always remember the theme of 12th Edition of EAC Military games and cultural event. He further noted that without cooperation and brotherhood, the games cannot have any impact on the EAC partner states.
The Uganda delegation to the closing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs Hon Adolf Mwesige and Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi among other leaders.
The Republic of South Sudan will host the 13th edition of the East African military games in 2020.