The Kiira Regional Police Command is setting the national standard for how modern policing should look – disciplined on duty, talented on the pitch, and deeply connected to the community.
This transformation was on full display as the region prepares for the decisive first-round derby of the 3rd Edition of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tournament Cup 2026.
The Regional Police Commander (RPC) Kiira Region, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Charles Nsaba, has commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Abas Byakagaba, for making sports a central pillar of his transformation agenda for the Uganda Police Force.
What is the IGP Tournament?
The IGP Tournament Cup is the biggest sporting event in the Uganda Police Force. Launched to foster unity, it brings together officers from all policing districts, divisions, specialized units like Field Force Unit (FFU), Counter Terrorism, and directorates from across the country. Nationally, teams are clustered into 8 administrative groups. Kiira Region falls under the Eastern Cluster.
Kiira Region comprises three competitive divisions: Kiira Central (CPS Jinja), Kiira East (Kakira), and Kiira North (Buwenge).
According to SP James Mubi the regional police spokesperson Kiira, the first round started on August 1 and will end on August 29, followed by a one-month recess before the second-round resumes.
So far, Mubi says Kiira Central and Kiira East are tied at the top with 3 points and 3 goals each, after both beating Kiira North 3-0. Kiira North sits bottom with 0 points and minus 6 goals.
Notably, August 29 falls on the last Saturday of the month, a day gazetted by the Government of Uganda as a National Community Cleaning Day (Bulungi Bwansi) from 7:00 am to 10:00 am.
This means the much-anticipated derby will be played in an environment of exceptional hygiene, sanitation, and public health. Players and fans will first join the community in general cleaning, and thereafter converge at Kakira grounds in a clean and healthy atmosphere – a true reflection of the Uganda Police Force’s broader mandate of promoting public health, order, and community transformation beyond security.
The final first-round clash on August 29 at Kakira grounds – Kiira Central vs Kiira East – will therefore not only decide who finishes top of the table but will also celebrate a clean, healthy, and united community.
Why Should Police Engage in Games and Sports? The Policing Strategy.
Many ask, why should police officers who are meant to fight crime play football? SSP Andrew Muzira, Head of Human Resource (HR) Kiira Region, explains that it is a deliberate policing strategy, not a leisure activity.
It ensures physical fitness for operational readiness. Policing is physically demanding – chasing criminals, manning operations for hours, and responding to emergencies. Football keeps officers fit, agile, and combat-ready.
According to Muzira, it builds discipline, unity and teamwork. On the pitch, rank disappears. A constable can tackle an RPC, and they must work together to win. This builds the teamwork and discipline needed during complex security operations where officers must trust each other with their lives.
It supports mental health and stress management. Officers face traumatic scenes daily. Sports is a proven tool for stress relief, fighting depression, and preventing burnout. A happy officer serves better.
He added that it strengthens community policing. When police play football with and before the community, they become approachable. It breaks the barrier between the uniform and the wananchi. The IGP’s strategy is to create a people-friendly, approachable force, and sports is the bridge.
It also helps in talent discovery and boosting morale. The force has immense talent. Tournaments like this keep morale high and give officers a sense of belonging beyond the gun and baton.
Beyond winning trophies, this tournament is building a new culture in the Uganda Police Force – a culture of teamwork, physical fitness, mental resilience, fair play and camaraderie. A fit officer is an effective officer. A united force is an unbeatable force, SSP Muzira said.
Why UNIFI Uganda? Corporate Social Responsibility Meets National Service.
In a major boost, UNIFI Uganda on Thursday, August 20, handed over three full sets of premium jerseys to the three Kiira teams. RPC Nsaba hailed the move as a symbol of true partnership.
“We thank UNIFI Uganda for standing with Kiira Region. This is not just about jerseys; it is about believing in the police and believing in the community we serve. This partnership shows what happens when the private sector supports national service, Nsaba said.
Why is a financial institution investing in a police tournament?
This is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at its best. UNIFI understands that its business cannot thrive if the community is insecure. By supporting the police, UNIFI is directly investing in security, which is the foundation for economic growth.
Who is UNIFI Uganda?
UNIFI Uganda is a Non-Deposit Taking Microfinance Institution (Tier 4) licensed and regulated by the Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA) under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
This means it does NOT take public savings or deposits – it only lends its own money, making it highly safe, transparent, and customer-focused.
Part of the successful Unifi Africa Group with operations in Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa since 2013, UNIFI Uganda started in 2021 at Clement Hill, Kampala, and now boasts over 20 branches across Uganda.
What makes UNIFI the darling for police officers and civil servants?
It is the fastest in the market, where you can get a loan in as little as 20 minutes. It is truly unsecured with no collateral, no land title, no guarantor and no paperwork. It offers a human touch with flexible repayment, fair interest rates, and warm customer service. It is digitally accessible where you can visit any branch or just dial 284 and use the UniApp USSD platform on any phone to apply and pay via Mobile Money or cash. Above all, it is purpose-driven, helping officers and ordinary Ugandans pay school fees, handle medical emergencies, and grow side businesses without stress.
For a police officer who needs emergency cash without going through tedious bank processes, UNIFI has become the trusted solution.
A Win-Win Partnership for Uganda.
This partnership is a textbook example of what IGP Abas Byakagaba envisions – a police force that works hand-in-hand with the private sector. While the police guarantee security, responsible corporate citizens like UNIFI guarantee financial inclusion.
As Kiira Region prepares for the August 29 derby, one thing is clear: Kiira is not just playing football; it is marketing professionalism, marketing community trust, and showing Uganda that the police is a force of excellence.
The Kiira Regional Police Command invites all football lovers, the business community in Jinja and Busoga, and the media to come and witness the grand finale of the first round at Kakira.
What is CSR and Why Are Big Companies Like UNIFI Investing in Police Sports?
Many Ugandans have been asking why a financial institution like UNIFI Uganda would spend money buying football jerseys for police officers competing in the IGP Cup.
The answer lies in a powerful business principle known as Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR.
CSR is the commitment by companies to operate in a way that benefits the community, beyond just making profit. It is the understanding that a business cannot succeed in a failing society. It must give back to the people who make its business possible.
For UNIFI Uganda, supporting Kiira Region Police is a classic example of strategic CSR.
According to business analysts, companies engage in CSR to build public trust and goodwill. When a company is seen standing with a respected national institution like the Uganda Police Force, the community begins to see it as a partner in development, not just a profit-making entity.
There is also a direct business link to security. Financial institutions thrive where there is law and order. By helping police officers stay fit, motivated and united through sports, UNIFI is investing in the very security that allows its customers to work, earn and repay loans. A secure Jinja City and Kiira Police region is a prosperous Jinja for everyone.
CSR has also become the most effective form of marketing. Instead of a traditional advert, UNIFI’s support is visible on the pitch, in community cleaning exercises, and in police press statements. It is a message that touches hearts and builds a lasting brand.
Furthermore, regulators like the Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority expect licensed institutions to be responsible corporate citizens. Through such initiatives, UNIFI demonstrates that it is a safe, ethical and people-centered lender.
Ultimately, the partnership between Kiira Police and UNIFI shows that when security and business join hands, the community wins. The police get morale and fitness, the company gets trust and visibility, and the public gets a safer and healthier environment to live in.
