The UPDF rifle competition opened this week at Fort Samora Machel Special Forces School in Kaweweta, with top commanders praising President Yoweri Museveni for his ongoing support to Uganda’s defence forces. Col. Wilson Bagonza, Commander of the Three Special Forces Group, presided over the third annual edition of this elite event and emphasized its value in shaping discipline, professionalism, and tactical capability within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Representing SFC Commander Maj. Gen. David Mugisha, Col. Bagonza said that President Museveni is not only the visionary behind Uganda’s modern military but an active contributor to the UPDF’s continued transformation. He also commended Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces, for raising the bar across the entire force. According to Bagonza, sustained investment in training and operational preparation is key to UPDF’s increasing professionalism and combat readiness.
Purpose and Format of the UPDF Rifle Competition
The UPDF rifle competition is structured to enhance both physical endurance and operational accuracy among Special Forces units. This year’s edition involved 11 elite teams from four brigades: Headquarters Group, One Special Forces Group, Two Special Forces Group, and Three Special Forces Group. The drills test real-world military response capacity and challenge each soldier’s mental and physical limits.
Competitive Drills Based on Real Combat Tactics
Key challenges included:
- Strongest Special Challenge
- Long-Range Rifle Challenge
- Pistol Accuracy Course
- Hostage Rescue Simulation
- Direct Action Exercise
On the final day, best squads will demonstrate falling plate target shooting, coordinated rescue operations, and direct-action drills. These exercises mimic actual field operations conducted by Special Forces.
Commanders Emphasize Discipline and Brotherhood
Col. Bagonza urged the soldiers to approach the competition with unity and commitment. “You’ve been baptized in the name of being the best,” he said. “Defend it with courage.” He also advised participants to support their comrades, learn from setbacks, and perform with integrity. His comments echoed the UPDF’s broader doctrine: excellence is built through discipline, collaboration, and constant improvement.
Lt. Col. Edison Beyendera, commandant of the training school, described the event as more than a marksmanship contest. He emphasized that it fosters mental precision, operational discipline, and esprit de corps. “This is about continuous improvement, unity, and readiness,” he stated. He encouraged competitors to show courage, mutual respect, and sportsmanship throughout.
Special Forces Training as a Global Standard
Col. Paul Lokut, Director of Training and Doctrine, aligned the competition with global Special Forces benchmarks. He stated that the competition’s scenarios, such as hostage rescues and unconventional warfare, mirror real duties performed by elite units worldwide. “You are not just training—you’re executing the missions expected of Special Forces globally,” he said.
He urged the soldiers to perform with the seriousness expected of international operators. For him, excellence must remain a lifelong pursuit, not a one-off result.
Building Uganda’s Military Capacity Through Training
The UPDF rifle competition represents a national investment in military preparedness. According to Col. Bagonza, it is also a public affirmation of President Museveni’s legacy in military professionalization. The presence of commanding officers, operations heads, and training instructors at the event confirmed its importance within the national defence strategy.
These competitions offer a vital opportunity for soldiers to refine tactics, reduce training gaps, and build camaraderie. They also reinforce Uganda’s vision of having a professional army that can respond effectively to both internal threats and international assignments. As Uganda continues to modernize its armed forces, events like this form the backbone of long-term defence readiness.
In an increasingly complex regional security landscape, Uganda’s commitment to elite force preparation remains vital. Competitions like these ensure the UPDF is always ready to defend national interests while upholding professionalism, discipline, and resilience.
To learn more about Uganda’s defence strategy and national security reforms, visit the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs. For global military doctrine and elite force benchmarking, explore NATO’s Special Operations overview. You can also read more about a private security guard who shot his supervisors in Kampala and a Uganda police land dispute in Lira City that escalated into court action.
