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Speaker Anita Among flagged off Uganda’s parliamentary sports team for the 13th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games in Kigali on December 7^th, 2023. The event, themed “For a progressive, peaceful, and all-inclusive EAC,” runs from December 7^th to 19^th.

While flagging off the teams, the Speaker urged participating Members of Parliament to not only excel in sports, but also use the platform to advance the core principle of the EAC objectives of widening, deepening and strengthening regional integration as a step towards fostering unity beyond political borders.

She also urged them on discipline, hard work, and protection of Uganda’s image.

“We are the defending champions of these games, so we must go there and defend our position. And remember to protect the integrity and the name of this country. The image of this country is very important,” Among said.

The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Sports Club, Hon Asuman Basalirwa said the Uganda Parliamentary team has been well prepared and is ready to bring the trophies home.

“In terms of preparation, we are ready, the coaches have done their part and I only hope that our participation in Kigali is going to bring more victory because we are the defending champion and we have an obligation to defend the trophies that we took last year,” Basalirwa said.

Basalirwa, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bugiri Municipality said the games provide a platform to popularise the EAC.

“The games help us to explain the processes of East African integration and why it is important to integrate…So we are going to represent and protect the image of our country,” Basalirwa said.

He added, “But also, there are aspects of socialisation, networking, building synergies because ultimately as MPs from the region, we need to know each other and network.”

The East African parliaments that will participate in this year’s edition are Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

The games will feature various sports disciplines including football, netball, volleyball, basketball, arts, golf, and athletics.