MASAKA – The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen David Muhoozi has re-echoed the joint commitment to preserve the achievements of the country’s security agencies.
This was contained in a speech read for him by Maj Gen Sam Kiwanuka who represented the CDF as chief guest at this year’s edition of the CDF Cup at Masaka Recreation Grounds.
Gen Muhoozi noted that UPDF has relied on its discipline to build a professional army that respects civilians and has an eye for development at the same time.
He added that discipline and physical fitness are great allies. “Discipline is crucial within the UPDF doctrine for one to have the expected results,” he said, adding that a physically fit mind generates results that can be tapped into socio-economic transformation.
Gen Muhoozi was grateful for the relationship between the UPDF and civilians, saying this demonstrates UPDF as a peoples’ army.
He further encouraged participants to look at sports as a business that can be explored by enhancing remarkable cooperation amongst units and formations.
The UPDF Chief of Education, Sports and Culture and Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division Brig Gen Francis Takirwa commended the local community for embracing the event and lauded the UPDF leadership for supporting all preparations that culminated into the 12th Edition of the CDF Cup.
He informed the gathering that the CDF Football Cup Tournament , is rotational in nature, and mainly aims at promoting civil military cooperation, physical fitness and respect, among others.
The Commander of the UPDF Armoured Brigade Brig Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga said the 2019 CDF Cup re-emphasizes the call earlier made by the Commander-in-Chief of UPDF and President of Uganda Gen Yoweri Museveni for soldiers in all units and formations of the UPDF to maintain physical fitness.
Brig Ssemwanga commended the UPDF leadership and the local community, most especially the m development partners for embracing the event.
The Football Tournament, that will run from 10th to 20th December 2019 is being guided by the theme: “Enhancing physical fitness, cohesion and cooperation through sports for sustainable peace and security to guarantee social economic transformation.
The respective football matches will be held at Masaka Recreation Ground, Muteesa 1 University and UPDF Armored Brigade Grounds.
I Division, 2 Division, Special Forces Command, Mountain Brigade, General Headquarters, Military Police, Marines, Field Artillery and Air Forces; are among the Eighteen (18) participating UPDF teams.
The tournament started in 1988 as the Commander’s Cup and was later renamed the CDF Cup in 2010.
The opening ceremony was attended by UPDF Chiefs and Directors, religious leaders, local leaders and local residents.
Field Artillery Division-Masindi hosted the previous event. Today’s game finished 3-0 in favour of the Armored Brigade against the Special Forces Command at Masaka Recreation Centre.
