Museveni Inaugurates FEASSA Games, Commends Speaker Among for Sports Infrastructure Dev't

On Sunday, August 18, 2024, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially inaugurated the 21st edition of the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) games at Bukedea Comprehensive School, Bukedea District in Eastern Uganda.

The event marked the beginning of a vibrant sports competition drawing 3,526 participants from five East African countries.

Bukedea Comprehensive School, owned by Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, served as the primary venue for the games, with additional matches scheduled at AMUS College School and Teso College.

The participants, hailing from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi, will compete in various sports, including football, swimming, table tennis, basketball, handball, netball, rugby, and hockey.

Before declaring the games open, President Museveni commissioned Bukedea Comprehensive School’s newly developed sports park, which features a football stadium, an indoor sports arena, and an Olympic-size swimming pool. The President praised Rt. Hon. Anita Among for her commitment to developing sports infrastructure in the region.

“I want to thank Rt. Hon. Anita Among and her colleagues who have developed this stadium efficiently and at a reasonable cost. This should serve as an example for others, so we can expand such facilities across the country,” President Museveni remarked.

Delivering most of his speech in Swahili, President Museveni emphasized the importance of East African integration beyond sports, highlighting the strategic security and economic benefits that come from regional unity.

He pointed out that integration would help address the challenges of market fragmentation, ensuring that East African countries could sustain their economies through collective market expansion.

“You cannot live a good life without producing a good or a service,” President Museveni said.

He cited Uganda’s surplus in maize and milk as examples of why regional integration is critical, noting that a larger market would better absorb these products.

Rt. Hon. Anita Among welcomed the East African participants to Bukedea and thanked President Museveni for his vision and support in developing sports infrastructure. She emphasized the significance of these games in promoting regional unity and nurturing young athletic talent.

Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, also commended the President for championing the East African Community (EAC) Federation and emphasized the role of sports in deepening integration at the grassroots level.

He cautioned participants to uphold the integrity of the competition, reminding them that sportsmanship is key to the success of the event.

“We must celebrate the spirit of East Africa and the bright future of our young athletes. Let us ensure that the competition remains fair and that we respect the values of sportsmanship,” Hon. Ogwang stated.

FEASSA President Justus Mugisha lauded President Museveni for being the first head of state to grace the FEASSA games, recognizing Uganda’s leadership in promoting sports across the region.

Mugisha expressed confidence in the continued development of sports infrastructure in schools, both in Uganda and across East Africa, and reaffirmed FEASSA’s commitment to fostering integration through sports.

“Mr. President, we know your leadership will make this vision of school sports infrastructure a reality across the 19 zones of Uganda and beyond. Your dedication to East Africa’s cause has been unwavering, and we are your strongest supporters,” Mugisha declared.

As the games progress, Uganda aims to defend its title in the competition, which runs until August 27, 2024. The event also saw the attendance of prominent figures, including Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon.

Thomas Tayebwa, NRM First National Vice Chairman Hajj Moses Kigongo, NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region Capt. Mike Mukula, FUFA President Hon. Moses Magogo, regional ministers, education directors, and members of parliament.