Speaker Among, flags off Uganda’s Parliament team for EAC games

By Emmanuel Sekago

Speaker, Anita Anne Among has flagged off the Uganda parliamentary team for the 13th edition of the East Africa inter-parliamentary games  in Kigali, Rwanda.
Speaker, Flagged off the Uganda contingent at Parliament on Thursday, December 7th 2023.

She urged the Uganda parliamentary teams consisting of, Volleyball, Basketball, Netball, Football, Athletics, Tag -of War, Darts and Golf to strive and make Uganda proud.
“As you go for this Competition, go with the determination to win. Make Uganda  proud,” Among said.
“Uganda is  the best team and we hope you will emerge and defend the overall trophy as always has been the case,” she added.

“We do not have to settle for less but rather for the best. Above all, you have to put in a lot of effort and  above all, be disciplined.”
Rwanda is hosting the East African Community 13th edition of the inter-parliamentary games that  will bring all parliamentarians of the EAC member states to engage in various sporting activities  that kick off in Kigali on December 8th to 19th 2023.

The sports disciplines include: Football, Volleyball, Athletics, Tug-of-War , Walk race, Golf, Basketball, Netball, and Darts.
The EAC member states involved in the competition include; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi and the host Rwanda.

Last year, the EAC 12th edition of the inter-parliamentary games took place in Juba, South Sudan and Uganda emerged the overall champions.

It should be noted that the idea of the inter-parliamentary games was introduced in 2001 during the inauguration of the regional assembly in Arusha Tanzania. It started with only football matches but in the following years it witnessed several bilateral games by EALA and the National Assemblies. The inclusion of other games came in 2009 in the fourth forum of speakers that agreed to have the inter-parliamentary games as an annual and rotational tournament.

The Uganda parliamentary head coaches of each different sporting disciplines appointed a captain who will lead others starting with, Hon Mbwatekamwa Gaffa, the Member of Parliament for Kasambya County for Volleyball (Men), Kalangala Woman Member of Parliament Hon  Helen Nakimuli for Volleyball (Women), Hon. Mwine Mpaka the  Mbarara City South Constituency for Basketball (Men), Hon. Susan Amero the Woman Member of Parliament for Amuria for Basketball (Women), Budiope East Member of Parliament, Hon. Moses Magogo for Football, Hon Sarah Achieng Opendi  Member of Parliament for Tororo District Women’s Representative for Tug-of War, Hon Julius Achon the  Otuke County Member of Parliament for Athletics (Men), Hon Osoru Maureen the woman member of parliament for Arua City for Athletics (Women) and Hon Sarah Netalisire Kayagi the Namisindwa district Woman member of Parliament for Netball.

According to the list seen by wallnetnews, the final Uganda parliamentary netball squad comprise of; Ndamira Catherine, Linda Irene, Ntabazi Rita, Nakimuli Hellen, Kakande Julliet, Namutawe Joan, Kunihira Agnes, Nabukeera Hanifa, Kabugho Florence, Nyakato Dorothy, Najjuma Sarah, Kabanda Aisha, Nebanda Florence, Mukhaye Miriam and Sarah Netalisire Kayagi.

Meanwhile; on the Netball fixture, Uganda will open up with South Sudan on December 11th at 6pm, Uganda face off with Kenya at 8am on December 13th, Uganda up against East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) at 8pm on December 15th, Uganda lock horns with Tanzania at 10;30am on December 17th and last match Uganda with host Rwanda at 8am on 18th.