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Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa emphasized the role of sports in promoting unity and integration within the East African Community. He highlighted that sports activities help connect Members of Parliament from the EAC’s eight partner states, fostering closer collaboration in the integration process.

The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, highlighted the role of sports as a significant catalyst for fostering integration within the East African Community (EAC).

Tayebwa remarked that sports activities help connect Members of Parliament from the eight partner states in the EAC, promoting unity as they work towards achieving the goals of strengthening, expanding, and deepening the integration process.

“Sports are crucial because many members across the region are unfamiliar with one another, yet they are tasked with enacting laws vital for the integration process. We are now closer at the level of people’s representatives,” he stated.

The Deputy Speaker made these comments as he prepared to lead Team Uganda in the golf tournament during the 14th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games on Tuesday, 10 December 2024, at the Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa, Kenya.

Tayebwa also expressed his satisfaction with Kenya’s President, William Ruto, officiating at the opening of the EAC Games in Mombasa City, calling it a demonstration of commitment from regional leaders.

“I hope the executives can carry this forward. It means a lot for the integration process, and we are ready to support, promote, and address challenges faced by each country, especially from a parliamentary democracy perspective,” he said.

Tayebwa also emphasized the health benefits of sports, noting, “What we are doing is helping many members avoid treatment for non-communicable diseases; they’ve had over three months of exercise in preparation for the games.”

He further expressed pride in Team Uganda’s performance.

“We anticipate Uganda retaining the overall championship title that we won in Kigali, Rwanda. I am confident the team will secure all the top prizes in the golf competition,” he affirmed.

So far, Uganda triumphed over Kenya 3-1 in football, while Tanzania and Burundi played to a 1-1 draw. In basketball, Uganda’s men’s team defeated Burundi 50-36, and the women’s team outplayed Kenya 66-13.

In netball, Uganda’s women’s team overcame Kenya by three sets to one, while the men’s team lost to Kenya with the same score.

In track and field, Uganda dominated the 100M races for both men and women, won the 1500M men’s race, and finished second in the women’s 1500M event.

The games, which commenced on 06 December, are scheduled to conclude on 18 December 2024.