Masaka, Uganda | The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has used the 17th edition of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Cup not only to promote sports but also to deepen cooperation with communities through an environmental campaign in Masaka.
In Kijjabwemi, soldiers joined local residents in planting trees, an initiative aimed at fostering trust and building stronger bonds between the army and civilians.
Major General Deus Sande, Commander of the Armoured Division, said the exercise symbolised a significant shift in relations.
He noted that in the past, civilians would often flee upon seeing a soldier, but the current collaboration reflected a new spirit of unity.
He added that the exercise was designed as a model of community engagement, intended to encourage wider participation in environmental protection.
Brigadier General Richard Karemire, Joint Staff Education, Sports and Culture, linked the drive to wider national and global concerns.
He explained that the UPDF was committed to working with residents to confront the challenges of climate change.
He also stressed the importance of sensitising communities about waste management, especially reducing plastic pollution, as a way of complementing tree planting efforts.
Masaka Resident City Commissioner, Ahamada Washaki, expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, for promoting initiatives that combine security with community welfare.
He also commended the army for demonstrating discipline and leadership beyond the battlefield.
The event attracted UPDF officers at all ranks, government officials, and members of the public, reinforcing the role of the CDF Cup as more than a sporting competition.
Organisers said the annual tournament increasingly served as a platform for outreach, showcasing the army’s commitment to social responsibility and national development.