Parliament staff complete fitness and wellness workshop

Staff from the Parliament of Uganda concluded a three-day fitness and wellness training workshop at Hotel Africana on Friday, with the goal of promoting healthier lifestyles among employees.

The workshop was facilitated by Winfred Muhumuza Kato, a sports and exercise psychologist from Ndejje University, and Constance Nsibambi, Head of the Department of Sports Science at Kyambogo University.

Robert Ssebugwawo, a fitness and preventive health expert from Parliament, also supported the training, which was attended by 60 participants including fitness ambassadors from various parliamentary departments.

The facilitators educated participants on healthy living practices, diseases linked to poor lifestyle choices, and methods for implementing fitness routines in different environments.

Ssebugwawo explained the workshop's objectives: to strengthen existing health initiatives, support Parliament's wellness programs, and empower staff to maintain independent fitness routines.

He emphasized the training's role in improving understanding of nutrition and exercise science while promoting preventive healthcare and the long-term benefits of regular physical activity.

Muhumuza provided practical workplace fitness strategies, addressing common excuses about lack of time for exercise. His recommendations included using standing desks, stationary chairs, and incorporating micro-workouts throughout the day such as stretching, walking to printers, or parking farther from the office. He advocated for early morning workouts, utilizing Parliament's gym facilities, and applying the Pomodoro technique - performing brief exercise sets between tasks. Muhumuza also encouraged participation in workplace sports, joining local sports clubs, and undergoing regular health screenings.

Nsibambi focused on work-life balance and the dangers of sedentary behavior in the digital age. She contrasted modern inactive lifestyles with our ancestors' physically demanding routines, warning that prolonged sitting increases risks of chronic conditions including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. "Our bodies are designed to move," she stressed, noting that inactivity also contributes to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. She advocated replacing passive leisure activities with more active alternatives.

Hellen Kigoonya, a fitness ambassador from the Public Affairs Department, described the workshop as "very good, useful and fruitful," particularly praising its comprehensive coverage of fitness, nutrition, and non-communicable diseases. She committed to sharing the knowledge with colleagues through office groups and personal interactions.

Augustine Mugabo from the Sergeant at Arms Department concluded the event by encouraging participants to maintain peace, prioritize spiritual wellbeing, and actively disseminate the wellness message they had learned.