A total of 110 Officers and Militants of the UPDF, code named Mission Uganda, have left for Rwanda to participate in the 10th East African Community Military Games and Cultural Event to take place in Kigali.

Hon Lt Gen Ivan Koreta, a UPDF Member of Parliament, today flagged off the UPDF sportsmen and women at Ministry of Defense headquarters, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces.

The mission composed of a football, Netball, Hand ball, Basketball and Cross-Country teams together with team officials, Referees and Umpires.

They will also be joined by the Minister of Defense Entourage,Permanent Secretary and Chief of Defence Forces entourage.

Mission Uganda will compete with other East African Community partner states of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.

The EAC military games and cultural events are part of the activities of the protocol on cooperation in the Defence amongst the EAC States. It is among others aimed at enhancing physical fitness amongst the EAC forces, sharing experiences, developing sports in EAC militaries, and promoting integration through cultural acclimatization.

The Chief of Education Sports and Culture in the UPDF, Brig Phenihas Katirima headed Mission Uganda and received the Uganda Flag from Lt Gen Koreta before also further handing it over to the director of Sports in the UPDF.

Lt Gen Koreta reminded participants that they are going to contribute towards the continued widening and deepening of the EAC Integration, carrying the beloved flag of Uganda, as beloved UPDF soldiers and to compete among soldiers.

By our reporter