Uganda takes overall lead at 15th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games

KAMPALA - Uganda emerged as the overall best-performing country at the 15th East African Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary Games, which concluded on December 16, 2025, at the Parliament of Uganda in Kampala city.

The closing ceremony was presided over by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, who served as the chief guest. Legislators from across the region gathered to celebrate the culmination of the games, which ran from December 5 to 17 under the theme: Advancing Integration through EAC Parliamentary Sports.

The annual sporting event attracted parliamentarians from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Tanzania and members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). Participants competed in a wide range of disciplines, including football, basketball, volleyball, netball, athletics, darts, golf and tug of war.

Uganda dominated several competitions, most notably football, where the host nation emerged as champions. Kenya finished second, while Burundi secured third place. Uganda’s Denis Sekabira, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Katikamu North, was awarded the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with three goals.

His compatriot, Linos Ngompek (Kibanda North), received the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper. Kenya’s Otiende Amollo was named Best Football Player of the games for his outstanding performance.

In basketball, Uganda again asserted its dominance by winning both the men’s and women’s titles. The women’s basketball team clinched the gold medal and trophy, followed by Kenya with silver. In the men’s category, Uganda also took gold, while Kenya finished second.

For Volleyball competitions, in the women’s category, Uganda led with gold and the trophy, followed by Kenya with silver and Rwanda with bronze. However, in the men’s volleyball competition, Kenya emerged as champions, Rwanda took silver, and Uganda finished third with bronze.

Uganda also registered success in darts, particularly in the women’s category, where the hosts claimed gold and the overall trophy. Kenya followed with silver. In the men’s darts competition, Kenya led with gold, Uganda secured silver, and South Sudan finished third with bronze.

For Golf, in the women’s category, Uganda won gold and the trophy, followed by Kenya with silver and Rwanda with bronze. Sylvia Nayebale (Gomba district - Uganda) was named Best Female Golfer after scoring 81 points, ahead of Kenya’s Mary Maingi, who scored 67 points.

In the men’s golf competition, Kenya claimed gold and the trophy, Uganda took silver, and EALA finished with bronze. Kanini Kega of EALA emerged as the Best Male Golfer with 78 points, narrowly ahead of the Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa of Uganda, who scored 77 points.

Athletics competitions were keenly contested, with team awards shared between Uganda and Kenya. Uganda emerged as champions in the women’s athletics team category, winning gold and the trophy, followed by Kenya with silver and Rwanda with bronze. In the men’s athletics team awards, Kenya took gold and the trophy, Uganda secured silver, and Rwanda finished third.

Netball proved another strong area for Uganda, as Team Uganda were crowned champions in the women’s category. Kenya finished second with silver, while Burundi took bronze. Uganda’s Sarah Netalisire Kayagi, the Woman MP for Namisindwa District, was named top scorer of the tournament after netting an impressive 78 goals.

In the tug-of-war, Kenya emerged as the overall winner in both the men’s and women’s categories. Uganda finished second, while South Sudan placed third.

Kenya’s representative to EALA, David Ole Sankok, received a special award in recognition of his active participation in athletics, particularly the men’s walking race, as well as the 800-metre and 1,500-metre races.

Addressing participants at the closing ceremony, the Speaker of the Senate of Kenya, Amason Jeffah Kingi, emphasised the broader purpose of the games beyond competition. He said the EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games are intended to foster unity, strengthen regional integration and deepen cooperation among partner states.

“It is imperative to note that when collective efforts converge, tremendous achievements can be realised within a short span of time,” Kingi said.

He added that sustained political will remains a critical driving force in ensuring continuity and growth of the games, which serve as a vital platform for promoting camaraderie and people-to-people relations within the East African Community.

Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa, who chaired the organising committee, admitted that Uganda had little preparation time but took up the regional responsibility in the spirit of solidarity.