Parliament on Saturday, 09 December 2023 claimed triple victory in their opening matches at the ongoing East African Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary Games in Kigali, Rwanda.
Captained by Hon. Helen Nakimuli (NUP, Kalangala District), the women’s volleyball team set the pace for Parliament of Uganda’s first victory in their maiden game of the tournament, beating Kenya National Assembly by three sets to zero.
This outstanding performance may have inspired the men’s volleyball team to an emphatic display to also claim a 3-0 victory against the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). The EALA side featured familiar faces of Hon. George Odongo and Hon. Gerald Blacks Siranda, who are both Uganda’s representatives at the Arusha-based regional assembly.
After the final whistle, EALA team joined their Ugandan counterparts in celebration despite losing to the latter.
The men’s volleyball team celebrate their win
Later in the evening, the men’s basketball team led by Hon. Mwine Mpaka (NRM, Mbarara South Division) put the icing on the cake by defeating Burundi Parliament 51-27.
These victories leave Uganda’s parliament team with a 100 per cent winning record.
In an interview, Hon. Nakimuli attributed the victory to hard work and tactical strength.
“What we did best was to serve. When you have a good [ball] service then you will definitely win because your opponent will not be able to cover the court,” Nakimuli said.
She, however, said the team needs to improve on their court cover and endurance for better performances.
Team Uganda celebrates their wins at the end of the day
In the Sunday fixtures, Uganda is up against South Sudan in women’s basketball at Lycee de Kigali Gymnasium, while the men’s team will tussle it out with the hosts-Rwanda.
The netball team will play their first match against South Sudan as the men’s volleyball team will hope to claim another victory when they meet Kenya at Ecole Notre Dame des Anges.