Ugandan MPs outpaced their Kenyan rivals, taking several major victories as the regional Inter-Parliamentary Games opened with athletics at Mandela National Stadium.
Team Uganda swept both the men’s and women’s 1500m races. Julius Acon, a former Olympian, won the men’s event in 5:23.5, narrowly beating Kenya’s Titus Lotee, who posted 5:24.0. Kenya’s John Kagucha came third in 5:54.08.
Christine Akello led the women’s 1500m, finishing in 8:30. She was followed by Kenya’s Phylis Barioo, with Uganda’s Hellen Auma and Gorreth Namugga close behind.
Uganda also celebrated a win in the men’s 400m as Benard Odoi edged Rwanda’s Nyabyenda Damien. Rwanda, however, claimed the women’s 400m through Germaine Mukabalisa, with Uganda’s Akello taking second place and Abeja Suzan finishing third.
In the 100m heats, Kenya’s Vincent Musau won heat one ahead of Uganda’s Patrick Ocan and Rwanda’s Nyabyenda Damien. Heat two went to Kenya’s Benard Kitur, followed by EALA’s Ali Machano, Rwanda’s Kanamugire James and Uganda’s Tom Aza.
Kenya’s Catherine Omanyo topped the women’s 100m, while Uganda’s Hellen Auma secured second place. Rwanda’s Germaine Mukabalisa finished third, and Uganda’s Anna Adeke came fourth.
Uganda returned to winning ways in the women’s 4×100m relay as Agnes Taka, Adeke, Akello and Hellen Auma powered to victory. Kenya took the men’s relay after a baton drop pushed Uganda to fourth place.
Athletics will continue on Thursday.
In football, Uganda beat Kenya 2–1 at MTN Omondi Stadium. Hon. Twaha Kagabo scored a first-half penalty before Hon. John Lematia doubled the lead in the 71st minute. Kenya pulled one back in the 87th minute through Hon. Letipila Eli Dominic, who slipped the ball past Hon. Linos Ngompek, but it was not enough to change the result.
