The Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi has saluted the UPDF team that won the East African Community military games in Kenya last week.
UPDF collected two gold medals, in netball and volleyball; two silver medals in basketball and athletics before being crowned the overall winners of the games.
On Thursday, Gen.Muhoozi received the Ugandan team that had returned from Kenya at a function held at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters at Mbuya hill.
The CDF commended the team for their discipline, spirit of patriotism, teamwork, and resilience that saw them triumph over other teams that participated in the 12th edition of the East African military games.
“Thank you for keeping the UPDF spirit of performing better with little resources. You have given us a lesson to learn and we shall adjust accordingly to have our sports department supported much better,”Gen.Muhoozi said.
The Chief of Education Sports and Culture Brig Francis Takirwa who also led the Ugandan delegation to Kenya applauded the UPDF leadership for entrusting him with the team to Nairobi, adding that he was for bringing back the team safely.
Brig Takirwa applauded the players for the teamwork, nationalism and morale which all contributed to the success.
He commended the host country Kenya for the excellent preparation and asked other member countries to learn from the Kenyan example.
The contingent commander Col John Mark Ssemanda who is also the Director of sports in UPDF said that the games enhanced discipline to the military profession and promoted brotherhood amongst the EAC partners.
“The games deepened and widened the relationship and understanding between UPDF and other country teams with whom we played,” said Col Ssemanda.
At the same function in Mbuya, UPDF sportsmen and women were recognized.
These included, Sgt Tugume Titus of Kickboxing who got two gold medals and one silver in the World Championship in Texas U.S.A, IMMAF world championship in Los Angeles California and a belt trophy, and IKF world championship in Orland Florida .
S/Sgt Sekabira Tonny Africa Military games Gold holder in Nairobi, world championship Gold in Canada and E.Africa gold in Rwanda.
Others were Sgt Tumukunde the world championship title in 2013, the world combat league 2010 in Italy and the world championship 2010 winner in Greece.
The function was graced by the UPDF Joint Chief of Staff Lt Gen Joseph Musanyufu, the Chief of Staff Land Forces Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda, Chiefs and directors of UPDF among others.
