Uganda’s parliamentary basketball team is using the Speaker’s Cup as a key weapon in its quest to defend the East African Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary Games title at the 2026 edition scheduled for Arusha, Tanzania, this December.
With newly elected Members of Parliament still adapting to the demands of competitive basketball, the internal tournament is providing a crucial platform to build match fitness, improve team chemistry and prepare the legislators for the pressure of regional competition.
The Speaker’s Cup, now in its second edition, has been designed to complement the team’s training programme by giving MPs regular competitive action while encouraging better attendance at training sessions.
Mwine Mpaka – courtesy Photo
Basketball captain Hon. Mwine Mpaka said staging the final at Hoima City Stadium is a deliberate move to expose newly elected legislators to the atmosphere of playing before large crowds ahead of the regional showpiece.
“The decision to play the final in Hoima is to get the new members in Parliament to have that feel of the competition, with a lot of spectators, so it helps us prepare but also get used to that environment,” Mpaka said.
The team began training on September 1, with the technical bench seeking to ensure that players are physically and mentally prepared to defend Uganda’s regional crown.
Courtesy Photo
Head coach Francis Kasinde believes the Speaker’s Cup is already achieving its intended purpose, particularly by giving legislators an added incentive to attend training and maintain their fitness.
“This is the second edition of the Speaker’s Cup. We chose this to have members attend the training, and it is working out.
“At least I have five members per team; they attend because they don’t want their teams to lose, and this gives them enough fitness ahead of the East African Games,” Kasinde said.
The parliamentary basketball contingent has been divided into four teams — Basuuga, Batebbe, Basuuna and Babiito — competing in an internal championship that combines rivalry with preparations for the December assignment.
The latest group-stage matches produced convincing performances from Basuuga and Babiito, who strengthened their campaigns with victories over Batebbe and Basuuna, respectively.
Basuuga defeated Batebbe 48–33, while Babiito overcame Basuuna 42–36 to set up an intriguing battle for places in the final.
The results have confirmed two semi-final fixtures, with Basuuga taking on Basuuna and Babiito facing Batebbe as the competition moves into its decisive phase.
The tournament will climax with the final at Hoima City Stadium, where the players will have another opportunity to experience the pressure and excitement of competing before a large crowd.
Mpaka explained that the four team names were selected according to what was trending when the tournament was introduced, with each side choosing its own identity.
Coach Francis Kasinde Courtesy Photo
However, beyond the internal bragging rights, the bigger objective remains Uganda’s title defence in Arusha. The technical team is banking on consistent training, improved participation and the competitive edge gained from the Speaker’s Cup to ensure the parliamentary side arrives in Tanzania ready for the challenge.
With the December games drawing closer, the semi-finals and final will provide another important test of the squad’s progress as Uganda seeks to prove that its regional championship success was no coincidence.