Uganda’s Members of Parliament extended their strong run in the football contest at the 15th East African Community Inter Parliamentary Games with a 2-1 win over Kenya on Monday evening at the MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo.
Uganda came into the game, which was broadcast on NBS Sport, after a 4-1 win over Burundi and the team carried that confidence into a contest that grew intense from the opening whistle.
Kenya kept the ball in the early minutes, yet Uganda created the clearer openings as Hon. John Lematia and Hon. Asuman Basalirwa forced early saves while several blocked attempts kept the supporters on edge under the Lugogo lights.
Hon. Muhammad Nsereko thought he had broken the deadlock in the eleventh minute when he finished from close range, although the referee ruled it out following a scramble in the area.
Kenya responded with early substitutions, but Uganda kept control of the rhythm and pushed forward with purpose.
The pressure paid off in the 34th minute when Sports Minister Hon. Peter Ogwang won a penalty after a foul inside the box, and Hon. Twaha Kagabo guided the spot kick into the bottom corner to give Uganda the halftime lead.
Uganda doubled the advantage moments after the restart when Hon. Lematia finished a sharp move, and the home fans amplified their support as Uganda pushed for a third goal while Kenya battled growing fatigue.
Hon. Nsereko almost punished a late defensive mistake, although his effort went wide.
Kenya set up a tense finish when Hon. Eli Dominic Letipila scored in the ninetieth minute, and Uganda needed composure in added time, and the MPs stayed organised and held on for a result that strengthens their push for the football crown.
Kenya returns to action on Wednesday, December 10 against Burundi, live on NBS Sport, both teams needing a response after losing their opening matches.
The Inter Parliamentary Games started in 2001 as an EALA effort to build public awareness around unity and regional cooperation, and were later formalised in 2009.
The 2025 edition has delegations from Uganda, EALA, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi in Kampala for two weeks of competition.
The event includes football, netball, basketball, volleyball, athletics, golf, darts and tug of war.
Volleyball, netball and basketball started over the weekend at the Lugogo Indoor Arena where Ugandan MPs showed strong form, and athletics and tug of war opened on Monday at Namboole.
Hon. Julius Acon, MP for Otuke East County, won gold in athletics in the men’s 1500 metres in 5 minutes 23 seconds, whereas Hon. Christine Akello won the women’s 1500 metres in 8 minutes 30 seconds.
Kenya dominated the tug of war at the Lugogo Cricket Oval with 2-0 wins over Uganda in both the men’s women’s sides, while Golf starts today, Tuesday, at the Serena Golf Club in Kigo.
