Arusha to host 2026 EAC Inter Parliamentary Games in December

Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka Kawaya anchors Team Kenya 4x4 men relay to victory at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, during the 15th East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games last year/HANDOUT

The 2026 East African Inter-Parliamentary Games will be held in Arusha, Tanzania, in December after the East African Community (EAC) Speakers’ Bureau awarded the hosting rights to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

The decision was reached during the EAC Speakers’ Bureau meeting chaired by Kenya Senate Speaker Amason Kingi in Arusha, Tanzania.

The annual event brings together parliamentarians and parliamentary staff from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and EALA.

Tanzania’s Parliament had initially been scheduled to host the 16th edition of the Games. However, after extensive consultations and careful consideration, EALA was handed the responsibility following Tanzania’s inability to host due to a congested schedule.

South Sudan had also been considered but indicated that it would be unable to host because of preparations for its first post-independence elections set for December 2026.

Following the decision, the Bureau directed EALA to prepare an indicative budget and communicate it to all national parliaments by June 26. Partner State legislatures will jointly shoulder the costs to ensure the successful staging of the Games.

EALA Speaker Joseph Ntakirutimana welcomed the development, describing the Games as an important vehicle for fostering regional cohesion.

“The Inter-Parliamentary Games are a vital platform for promoting unity, friendship, solidarity, cultural exchange, and regional integration among East African legislators and parliamentary staff. Hosting them here in Arusha, at the heart of the Community, carries deep symbolic meaning,” said Ntakirutimana.

The Bureau also considered a proposal to hold the Inter-Parliamentary Games every two years in future to improve planning, reduce financial pressures, and create more predictable hosting arrangements.