The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), particularly the Military Police Brigade, has been praised for its growing commitment to nurturing sports talent within its ranks.
The commendation followed a thrilling kickboxing match in Nateete, where Military Police officer Lt Samuel Etumye triumphed over Ivan “Predator” Koreta of the Pentagon Kickboxing Academy. The Saturday night contest marked the launch of the “Game On” series and formed part of the national selection process to determine Uganda’s representative in the upcoming East African Kickboxing Championship against Tanzania, scheduled for August 2025.
Speaking at the event, Pentagon Kickboxing Academy Director Sadat Yiga expressed appreciation for the UPDF’s evolving support for sports. “The support we are seeing now, especially from the Military Police, is something we didn’t have before. It’s a big step in the right direction,” Yiga said.
Lt Etumye, celebrating his win, reaffirmed the guiding principle of the Military Police: “By example we lead.”
Major Zeedi Natumi, Financial Officer of the Brigade, commended the Commandant and his team for their proactive role in sports development. “Events like this build civil-military cooperation, strengthen the UPDF’s public image, and show the army’s dedication to a pro-people approach,” said Maj Natumi.
Event organisers noted that sporting activities such as these are essential in promoting social cohesion and strengthening ties between the military and civilian communities, key aspects of the UPDF’s outreach and engagement strategy.
The event drew a diverse audience that included UPDF officers, sports federation officials, media personnel, and members of the public.