By Odindo Ayieko in Mombasa
Uganda are the overall champions of the East Africa Community Inter Parliamentary games for the third year in a row after dominating most of the disciplines at the games that come to a close on Kenya coastal city of Mombasa on Tuesday.
Uganda has retained the football title and were also the kings of basketball.
In a nail-biting basketball encounter at the KPA Makupa Indoor Gymnasium in Mombasa on Monday, the Ugandan Parliamentary basketball team clinched a razor-thin 53-52 victory over their Kenyan counterparts.
The Ugandan squad came out firing, opening with a quick 10-point run before the hosts could find their rhythm on the hardwood.
However, Kenya’s parliamentarians soon settled into their offensive sets, with Senator David Wakoli emerging as the game’s top scorer with an impressive 16 points, showcasing his prowess from both beyond the arc and in the paint.
The lead exchanged hands throughout the tightly contested matchup, with neither team able to build a substantial advantage. Uganda held slim leads at the end of each quarter – 14-13, 29-27, and 43-42 – setting the stage for a dramatic final period.
Hon. Mwine Mpaka led Uganda’s balanced scoring attack with 12 points, including several crucial baskets down the stretch. Kenya controlled much of the fourth quarter tempo with their fast-break opportunities and aggressive man-to-man defense, but Uganda’s composure in the closing minutes proved decisive.
The visitors executed their half-court offense effectively in the final possessions to secure the one-point victory. The passionate crowd at the Makupa Gymnasium created an electric atmosphere, with supporters from both nations energizing their teams throughout the back-and-forth contest.
In football, Uganda hammered Kenya 3-0 in their first games before going on rampage to extinguish Burundi 6-0 followed by a 3-1 win over Tanzania to emerge the champions once again.
Uganda tops the medal standings of the tournament sponsored by Mchezo Limited with 9 gold, 10 silver, and 5 bronze medals ahead of hosts Kenya who have secured 3 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals.
Tanzania is in third place with two gold, two silver, and five bronze medals in the highly competitive games.
EALA hold the fourth position with one silver medal, while Rwanda rounded out the medal table in fifth place with one bronze medal.
Ivy Igunduura, Eastern Africa CSR and Partnerships Manager at Mchezo who have sponsored the tournament expressed her with the level of competition amongst the legislators.
“This has been a great tournament. We need to now work together as policy makers in the region to build sports amongst our youth. As Mchezo we will be there to offer our support,” said Igunduura.
The tournament, an annual sporting tradition among East African parliaments, takes on special significance this year as it coincides with the East African Community’s 25th anniversary celebrations. The annual tournament continues to serve as a vibrant demonstration of regional integration, blending competitive spirit with the broader goals of widening, deepening, and strengthening cooperation and unity across East African nations.
