The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces has taken part in the general Opening of the East African Community Military Games and Cultural Event 2019 at MOI International Sports Center (MISC) Kasarani in Nairobi Kenya where they will actively participate.
The event will run from the 11th- 24th Aug 2019 under the theme “One People, One Destiny” with six Countries that form the EAC; Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The Uganda Contingent, code-named “Mission Uganda” which was flagged off on the 10th August is comprised of different teams of Football, team, netball, volleyball, basketball and the umpires.
The contingent, under the command of Col John Mark Ssemanda who is also the Director of Sports in UPDF, emerged the third in the same games and cultural event held in Burundi last year where they won various number of medals which included Silver in Football and Net ball, Bronze in Volley ball and the second in Cross Country.
The Cabinet Secretary for Defence Kenya, Hon Racheal Omamo while presiding over the ceremony on Tuesday applauded the sister East African Community countries for honoring their invitation and the teams for their efforts in training that has made the occasion take place in Nairobi.
She added that without their partnership, Kenya would not mark this milestone.
“These games are invisible steps which affirm the unity and togetherness amongst the East African member states. Sports and Cultural events create good relationships not only amongst the countries but also among the players which helps them acquire different skills through working and living together, ” she said.
H.E Omamo also congratulated Southern Sudan upon joining the games for the first time and called upon all the participants to work together, eat together and enjoy together, regardless of which countries they come from in order to farther the EAC Objectives.
In her conclusion, she assured participants of peace and security in Kenya and called upon them to feel at home throughout the event.
The Kenyan Defence Forces Chief of General Staff, Gen. Samson Mwathethe in his remarks said that he was honored to host the EAC Military Games and Cultural events for the second time since 2007.
He called upon the East African member states to emulate the EA Defence forces and fast track the regional integration in other sectors if East Africa in order to realize tremendous unity, peace, and Development.
“EAC Military event will cement and foster the solidarity through the sports and cultural participation which will improve on the health, Skills, and unity of the militants,” said General Mwathetha.
The function was attended by the Burundian Minister of Defence Maj Gen Pontien Gaciyubwenge, the South Sudan Minister of Defence Maj Gen Kuol Manyang Juuk, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces Gen Gabriel Dok Riak, the UPDF Joint Chief of Staff Lt General Joseph Musanyufu, the Kenyan Minister of sports and culture Hon Amina Mohammed among others.