Soroti City Woman Member of Parliament, Joan Alobo Acom, has emerged as one of the standout performers in the recently concluded 14th East African Parliamentary Games, clinching three gold medals for Uganda in the athletics category. The games, hosted in the picturesque coastal city of Mombasa, saw Uganda’s parliamentary team deliver an exceptional performance, taking home several gold medals and trophies across various disciplines.
The Ugandan team proved to be a dominant force in the competition, excelling in the following categories:.
Athletics (Women), Athletics (Men), Basketball (Women), Basketball (Men), Football, Golf (Women), Netball, Tug of War (Women, Tug of War (Men), Walking Race (Women), Walking Race (Men)
Hon. Joan Alobo Acom’s achievements in the athletics events were celebrated by her colleagues and fans back home. Her performance showcased not only her personal dedication but also Uganda’s growing prominence in the regional parliamentary games.
Dr. Moses Masika, the chairman of the Speakers of East Africa, emphasized the unifying spirit of the games during his address to the legislators. “This tournament is not just about winning trophies but about fostering unity among East Africans, as we used to have before,” Dr. Masika stated. He highlighted how East African students once studied seamlessly across institutions such as Makerere University and the University of Nairobi, a legacy that parliamentarians have the power to revive through their legislative efforts.
Dr. Masika also challenged MPs to champion free movement across East Africa, noting the pivotal role they play in promoting regional integration. He commended the President of Kenya for gracing the opening ceremony and saluted the top performers in the games, including Uganda’s outstanding team.
The closing ceremony, held at the Pride Inn Hotel in Mombasa, was a grand affair attended by dignitaries such as Uganda’s Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, the Speaker of Kenya, and other top leaders from East African countries. Beatrice Asukul Moe the Chairperson of the East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers who was the chief guest, applauded the sponsors for their contributions in making the event a success.
She also lauded the Bureau of Speakers for choosing Mombasa as the host city, citing its role in promoting regional integration through sports. Hon. Beatrice pledged continued support for the inter-parliamentary games, which she described as a vital platform for fostering unity and cooperation among East African nations.
The 14th Inter-Parliamentary Games brought together representatives from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Tanzania, Somalia, and Congo. The friendly competition showcased the region’s commitment to solidarity and collaboration.
As the games concluded, excitement began to build for the next edition, set to take place at Lake Tanganyika, Bujumbura, Tanzania. With Uganda’s stellar performance in Mombasa, the team is already eyeing another successful campaign in the upcoming tournament.
For now, Joan Alobo Acom and her fellow Ugandan MPs return home to celebrate their victories, bringing pride and joy to the nation while highlighting the power of sports in strengthening regional ties.