SFC Triumphs as UPDF Showcases Skill and Unity at 17th CDF Cup in Masaka
The Special Forces Command (SFC) football team emerged victorious at the 17th Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Cup in Masaka, defeating 3 Division in a fiercely contested final and capping two weeks of competitive action across the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
The tournament, held at Masaka Senior Secondary School, featured a series of competitions in football, netball, and shooting, aimed at sharpening combat readiness while promoting camaraderie and esprit de corps among troops.
Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, praised the participants for their skill and discipline, noting the broader significance of the games.
“What we have seen here has been far more than simple games; it has been a powerful demonstration of our military ethos in action. At the range ground, we could see a demonstration of impeccable skill, calmness under pressure, and absolute mastery of your tools of trade,” he said.
Gen Muhoozi also congratulated all participants and organizers, emphasizing the inclusive spirit of the force.
“In the UPDF, there are no losers. The lessons of discipline, precision, and camaraderie that you have demonstrated here should be carried forward into your daily service to the nation.”
Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, commended the CDF for fostering unity within the UPDF.
“The precision witnessed on the shooting range demonstrated that if these games were an operation against a rebel group, only a coward would have survived by running away,” he noted, highlighting the operational readiness displayed throughout the tournament.
Maj Gen Deus Sande, Commander of the Host Division, expressed gratitude to the CDF for honoring both the UPDF and the people of Masaka with his presence, while Brig Gen Richard Karemire, who oversees Joint Staff, Formal Education, Sports, and Culture, credited the CDF’s support for the seamless execution of the games.
The CDF Cup remains one of the UPDF’s flagship events, blending training with competition to enhance readiness and unity across formations and services.
The closing ceremony was attended by senior military and civilian leaders, including division commanders, service chiefs, senior UPDF officers, and Vice President Emeritus Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi.
SFC’s victory on the football pitch may have captured headlines, but the broader achievement lies in the UPDF’s demonstration of discipline, teamwork, and operational excellence, ensuring that the lessons of the CDF Cup extend far beyond Masaka.
