The two-week-long East African Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary Games came to a successful end in Kigali, Rwanda on Monday, 18 December 2023 where Uganda scooped seven trophies in all competitions.

The closing ceremony that took place at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village was climaxed by the award of medals in recognition of the best East African parliaments and outstanding individual performances in the annual sports tournament that kicked off on 08 December 2023.

Uganda, the defending champions from last year, once again emerged as the overall winner of the 13th Edition of the EAC Games.

In athletics, Uganda was the overall best performer with a cumulative 36 medals, 23 of which were gold medals, eight silver, and five bronze. Tanzania and Kenya settled for the second and third positions respectively.

Captained by Hon. Moses Magogo (NRM, Budiope East County), Uganda’s Parliament football team was crowned champions of soccer after an unbeaten campaign with a maximum of 15 points, scoring a record 32 goals and conceding only two.

The golf team led by the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa emerged the best ahead of other EAC parliaments with 270 and 268 points for men and women respectively.

The men’s basketball team, captained by Hon. Mwine Mpaka (NRM, Mbarara South Division) took the winner’s trophy, while the women’s team settled for the second position behind Tanzania.

The women’s volleyball team took the first slot, while the netball side took the second spot after Tanzania who emerged as the best.

Uganda also scooped several medals in tug of war and darts bringing home a total of seven trophies.

The Chairperson of the Joint Planning Committee of the EAC Games, Hon Francine Rutazana lauded the hosts, Rwanda for the conducive environment for the member states to participate in the games, adding that this year’s tournament has been a success with high levels of compliance to rules.

“The disciplinary committee received only three cases [of indiscipline], this is a surprising tournament because, in the last tournament, there were at least five cases of indiscipline reported every day. This means that there has been more compliance to the rules and there is a need to maintain the spirit,” Rutazana said.

In his remarks, Deputy Speaker, Tayebwa urged East African countries to use sports to build bridges for peace and cohesion.

“Let us make sports part of our lifestyle because our work is so stressful, we sit for long hours… Sports can help us build our countries, liberate families, and build friendships,” Tayebwa said.

He is also hopeful that the 14th edition of the EAC Games that will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya will bring on board all the East African countries.

“We must make EAC work, we have no option. Our forefathers have done their part…In the next tournament, I hope all East African countries will participate,” Tayebwa said.

Hon. Tulia Ackson, the Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly and also the Chairperson of the Bureau of Speakers of the EAC challenged East African parliamentarians to enhance youth participation and address pushing African problems.

“As parliamentarians, you need to make youths part of the decision-making process in your countries. Let us also work together to ensure we have People with Disabilities in our parliaments and also advise our governments on issues of poverty, climate change and environmental degradation,” she said.

The Inter-Parliamentary Games tournament is an annual sporting event that brings together members and staff of various parliaments in the EAC.

The tournament is a key aspect of building relations between the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and EAC National Parliaments in line with Article 49 (2)(a) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. EALA mooted the idea in 2001 to enhance interaction with the EAC Partner States and as a mode of sensitization and popularization of the integration process.

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In a compelling effort to address mental health challenges, Stuart Raymond Kasule, a 29-year-old suicide prevention trainer and mental health advocate based in Australia, is urging Uganda’s Ministry of Health to prioritize the implementation of effective suicide intervention and prevention models. Speaking to the press in Kampala, Kasule emphasized the need for mental health awareness campaigns that tackle the issue without perpetuating stigma.

Uganda’s current suicide ranking, 17th globally with 18.67 per 100,000 deaths attributed to suicide, underscores the urgency of Kasule’s call. He highlighted the necessity of training healthcare professionals to identify and respond to mental health and suicide issues appropriately. Kasule urged the Ministry of Health to actively support safe talks and awareness initiatives in public spaces and schools, equipping people with the knowledge to combat stigma effectively.

Citing alarming statistics from the World Health Organization’s global suicide report, Kasule stressed that one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds, making it a leading cause of death, particularly among the youth. He recommended the adoption of suicide intervention and prevention models from Living Works Australia, endorsed by the World Health Organization, with an emphasis on adapting them to Uganda’s local and cultural context.

Dr. Hafsa Lukwata, head of the mental health division at the Ministry of Health, expressed support for the decriminalization of suicide, ensuring victims can access essential services without fear of legal consequences. Kasule’s appeal aligns with the broader call for practical mental health models at all levels, from households to the national stage, to effectively address the challenges faced by those dealing with mental health issues.

Andrew Kyamagero, a prominent male activist, emphasized the critical need for comprehensive data to understand the extent of mental health challenges in Uganda. He called for the integration of mental health discussions into community health strategies, ensuring health workers are equipped to address mental health and suicide issues effectively at all levels of the healthcare system. Kyamagero underscored the importance of scaling mental health initiatives to reach all segments of society.

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Parliament has handed over vehicles to four former Speakers of Parliament and their deputies, the vehicles are worth Shs3 billion.

The four include Rebecca Kadaga, Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi, Francis Butagira, Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, and Prof. Edward Rugumayo.

While handing over the vehicles, Speaker Anita Among revealed that Parliament will be giving the former Speakers new cars every five years, and the cost of fuel, maintenance, and salaries of the drivers of the vehicles will be paid by Ugandan taxpayers.

“You will be required to bring your own driver, whom we will recruit as parliamentary staff; Parliament will pay that driver of yours. The car remains a property of the government of Uganda. The Parliament will maintain and fuel these cars. But Parliament will, every five years, give you a new car. Or in between, when the car gets a problem, you will bring it back, and we will give you a new car. You are property of the government of Uganda, so we are supposed to look after you,” she said.

She also noted that the recent enactment of the Parliamentary Pensions Act expanded the beneficiaries to include all Speakers who served Uganda since 1979, thus entitling President Museveni, Chairman of the National Resistance Council (NRC) from 1896–1996; Edward Rugumayo, Speaker and Chairman of the National Consultative Council  (NCC) from 1979–1980; Francis Butagira, 1980–1985; Al Haji Moses Kigongo, Vice Chairman of the NRC from 1986–1996; and Edward Ssekandi, 1998–2001, Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the 7th and 8th Parliament, to these cars every five years.

Francis Butagira, served as a Member of Parliament and as Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament (1980–1985). He has also served as Ambassador to Ethiopia, Kenya, Germany, Austria, and the Vatican. He also served as the Permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations.

Sekandi served as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament from 1996 to 2001. He was elected as Speaker in 2001, a position he held until 2011. He was replaced as Speaker by Rebecca Kadaga, the first female Speaker of Parliament in Uganda’s history.

Kadaga was elected as Deputy Speaker of Parliament in 2001, a position that she held until May 19, 2011, when she was elected Speaker of Parliament.

Other who served as Speaker but departed are James Wambogo Wapakhabulo, Francis Ayume, Jacob Oulanyah, Narendra Pat el and John Bowes

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Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has handed over Villa Somalia (State House) and Parliament security responsibility to Somalia Security Forces.

The grand ceremony took place at Villa Somalia in the presence of United Nations representatives, Officials from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), and ATMIS.

The National Security Advisor to the President Hussein Sheikh Ali Maalim welcomed the dignitaries, noting that the handover of the two vital installations is a significant milestone not only to the Federal Government of Somalia but also to the people of Somalia.

He elaborated that the government is sending a big message to the public that it is capable of taking charge of Somali security and people are gaining confidence that they are being protected by their own government.

“This is a historical day. The takeover of these vital installations is a testimony by the government to the public who are now seeing the Somalia government as being serious in protecting their own. It is a milestone not because AMISOM is leaving but it shows the government is serious in protecting its citizens,” explained Hussein Maalim.

The Chief of Staff office of the President Abdihakim Mohamed Yusuf, in tandem, reminisced the sacrifice from the brothers and sisters of all Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) who have helped in rebuilding Somalia.

 He acknowledged that Somalia is fighting the most sophisticated terror group in the world – Al Shabaab.

“The fact that we are taking over security responsibility of these vital installations, shows that we are defeating them. We are now fighting Al-Shabaab 500 to 800 kilometers away from Mogadishu. We shall forever remain grateful to your sacrifice. Our cooperation and partnership will not end here but this is the beginning. Thank you TCCs particularly Ugandan forces who have been here for the last 16 years. We share this bond and we will remain grateful,” remarked Abdihakim.

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of African Union Commission and Head of ATMIS Mohamed Al-Amine Seouf noted that the handover of State House and Parliament security was a significant step in the resumption of ATMIS draw down of phase two. He stated that the handover of the two state institutions was previously central to the ATMIS mandate which now becomes a critical move in the transition process.

He said: “We are now fulfilling the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2710 (2023) mandated to reduce troop presence of 3000 by December 2023, adding that this will contribute to the ongoing Somalia Security transition plan.”

Meanwhile, the Sector One commander Brig Peter Gaetano Omola, informed guests that sector one is greatly honoured and privileged to handover the most vital installations which they have fervently been protecting for the last 16 years.

 He enumerated UPDF successful operations right from March 2007, which include: dislodging Al-Shabaab in various locations to protecting vital installations, and providing VVIPs protection, among others.

“We have diligently and proudly offered VVIPs security protection to five Presidents, entire state house staff and to some extent the presidents of the Federal Member States,” said Brig Omola.

He reported that Somalia Security Forces (SSF) is effectively manning the FOBs that were handed over in phase one ATMIS draw down. This is a testimony for the continued confidence that the SSF will be in position to take over security responsibility of their country.

He concluded by thanking the Somali community for the hospitality and cooperation exhibited through the years that has enabled the forces to perform.

 Special appreciation went to FGS Head of State for the confidence, trust, cooperation and commitment and guidance extended to UPDF from time to time.

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