Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Thomas Tayebwa, during a training session/HANDOUTMogadishu, Somalia, has been selected to host the 2026 East Africa Inter-Parliamentary Games, marking a significant milestone for the country within the regional bloc.
Somalia National Assembly Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur said the nation is ready to welcome the region, adding that Mogadishu intends to use the event to strengthen diplomatic ties with the neighbours.
“We are prepared to welcome the region in 2026, and we will use the games to deepen the diplomatic bonds created through sport,” he affirmed.
Kenya’s Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, who handed over the chairmanship of the Bureau of EAC Speakers, said Somalia’s selection reflects the East African Community’s dedication to equality and unity.
“It sends a clear message that we are one, and no member is treated differently,” Kingi said during the Bureau’s meeting in Kampala.
The games are hosted on a rotational basis, with Kenya staging last year’s edition in Mombasa. Uganda will host the 2024 edition in Kampala from December 5 to 17, and Kingi said he was impressed with Uganda’s level of preparedness.
Speakers from across the EAC legislatures highlighted the rising importance of sports as a tool for regional cohesion, noting that the Inter-Parliamentary Games have become an effective platform for strengthening cooperation and building trust.
They observed that while traditional diplomacy can be slow and formal, sport provides informal spaces where tensions ease and cross-border relationships grow.
Uganda’s Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa echoed this view, saying the friendships formed on the pitch have become central to advancing the region’s “soft power” diplomacy.
“These games are not about who wins; they are about fostering unity and helping citizens appreciate the benefits of the Community, including the removal of non-tariff barriers and the free movement of locally manufactured goods,” he said.
Tayebwa added that the personal connections made during the games often help resolve issues more quickly than formal diplomatic channels.
“If Ugandan MPs face a challenge in Burundi, they can reach out directly to fellow MPs in Burundi before going through foreign affairs. That’s diplomacy built on human relationships,” he noted.
He also declared his intention to lift the golf trophy during this year’s tournament. Uganda are the defending overall champions, having clinched the title in Kenya last year.
