UPDF Launches Second Inter-Forces Drill Competition at Kololo
By Kyeyune Ali
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) will host the second edition of the Chief of Defence Forces Inter-Forces Drill Competition at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds from August 22–25, 2026, under the theme, “Precision, Discipline and Cohesion, Pillars of National Resilience and Transformation.”
The four-day competition will bring together more than 1,400 participants from over 40 teams drawn from different UPDF branches and services, marking a significant expansion from the inaugural edition held in 2025.
UPDF Deputy Spokesperson Colonel Henry Obbo called upon the public to turn up and support the competition, saying the event will not only showcase military skills but also strengthen cooperation within the Force and deepen its relationship with the communities it serves.
“This competition will help to strengthen cooperation and friendship among the branches and all military units and showcase the force’s enduring traditions and values,” Obbo said.
He added that the competition is also intended to foster discipline, ingenuity, creativity and teamwork among UPDF personnel while celebrating the Force’s rich heritage.
Unlike a conventional military drill display, this year’s competition introduces a range of creative elements, including theme-based drills, formation changes, synchronized displays, music integration, storytelling and dance.
The innovations are designed to promote precision and excellence in military drill while enhancing operational readiness and providing participants with an opportunity to demonstrate creativity.
Junior, senior and warrant officers, alongside other ranks, will compete in disciplines featuring sword and crop-stick drills, pace-stick drills, cane-stick drills and foot drills.
The competition will also feature freestyle displays, with the top five teams showcasing performances that blend Ugandan cultural heritage with military traditions.
The inaugural edition in 2025 attracted 16 teams, with the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) emerging as the overall winner. The 2026 edition has more than doubled the number of participating teams, highlighting the growing profile of the competition.
Beyond the competition itself, the UPDF says the event is intended to celebrate national pride, sovereignty, military heritage and the Force’s commitment to serving Ugandans.
With more than 40 teams set to compete at Kololo, the second edition promises a bigger and more colourful display of military precision, discipline, teamwork and creativity.