EALA off to a good start in Football

 Parliament of Burundi pull a fast one on EALA in netball as Uganda beat Tanzania in men’s volleyball

East African Legislative Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya: 5^th December 2016:Football Defending champions, EALA have sent the strongest signals yet of retaining the Inter-Parliamentary Games Tournament.  This afternoon, EALA beat Parliament of Burundi 2-1 in an entertaining Group B match played at the Mbaraki Sports Ground in Mombasa as the tournament entered Day 2.

Dependable striker, Ibrahim Jamal scored the first goal in the second minute following good inter-change of passes in the midfield.  Jamal was on the mark again fifteen minutes later to open the gap.

Wyclif Ketto picked up a loose ball in the midfield dribbled past two defenders to set Jamal to score for EALA to lead 1-0.

Hon, Julius Maganda, Minister for EAC Affairs, Parliament of Uganda, missed a golden chance to double the lead on 25 minutes when he failed to connect a pass from Hon Bernard Mulengani.

In the second half, Parliament of Burundi made serious raids often catching EALA off guard.   EALA defender handled the ball in the box but Burundi’s Hon Jean Marie Niyonkuru, failed to convert the resultant penalty kick.

Hon Dennis Karera then latched on to a loose ball and fired past the EALA goalkeeper to reduce the deficit.

In the first match of the Day, Parliament of Uganda beat Parliament of Kenya 1-0 in a fast paced Group A match.  The match was a balanced affair in both halves.   Parliament of Kenya strikers missed numerous scoring chances with Hon Augustine Neto and Hon David Ochieng as the main culprits.

On resumption, Parliament of Uganda came back a more rejuvenated side. Kenya’s keeper, Hon Kanini Kega was twice called upon to make saves from the marauding striking force of Hon Odonga Otto, Hon Nsereko Mohammed and midfield dynamo, Hon Mugema “Panadol”.

A perfect combination saw the Uganda midfielders race down to the flank to set up an unmarked Arinaitwe Brian.   Brian, controlled the ball, then beat the Kenyan Parliament Goalkeeper, Hon Kanini Kega on a first time shot to give his side a slim victory.

In netball, Parliament of Burundi put up a sterling performance to upset EALA 37-21 in a Group B match at the Makande Indoor Sports Gymnasium, Mombasa.

Parliament of Burundi who were featuring a netball side for the first time since the Tournament commenced a couple of years ago, were clearly the better side, showing intent from the very beginning of the game.

Goal Attacker, Hon Sintozuma Jacqueline opened the flood gates as Burundi took a 15-13 lead at end of the second quarter.  On resumption, it was one-way traffic for the victors.  Hon Mboneko Sauda and Hon Ndayizeye Gloriose were a constant thorn in the flesh of the EALA Netball team.

In the first match of the day, Parliament of Uganda were awarded the match versus Parliament of Kenya on a 60-0 walk-over in Group A match at the Makande Indoors Sports Gym, following the Parliament of Kenya’s unavailability to raise a team in accordance with the rules governing the tournament.

At the moment, the rules stipulate that only Members of Parliament can feature in the tournament. A number of players are expected to join the team later on today.

In group A of men’s Volleyball, Parliament of Uganda won Parliament of Tanzania 2 sets to 0 in an interesting encounter. Parliament of Uganda beat Parliament of Tanzania 25-12 in the first set.  They won the same amount of points in the second set.

In Group B, Rwanda was awarded 2 sets to 0 (25-0 and 25-0) over Parliament of Burundi who did not field a team.

In women’s volleyball, EALA were awarded 2 sets to 0 victory following the failure of Burundi to field a team.

The Games continue on Tuesday with a Netball match featuring Defending Champions, Parliament of Uganda and Parliament of Tanzania.  Later on in the afternoon, the football teams of both Parliaments shall face off.

Speaker of Kenya National Assembly, Rt Hon Justin Muturi shakes hands with Hon Khatibu Mwashetani, player of Bunge FC, Kenya.  Kenya lost 0-1 to Parliament of Uganda

The French Ambassador to Tanzania and the East African Community, Ms. Malika Berak, has called on all parties in the Inter-Burundi Dialogue to engage constructively and consensually in the forthcoming consultations to be held in Bujumbura, Burundi.

In a press statement issued today and copied to the EAC Secretariat, Amb. Berak said that only a political solution would enable Burundi to achieve a peaceful exit from the crisis.

“We reiterate our full support for the continuation of sessions on Inter-Burundi Dialogue, within the framework of the mandate given to it by the East African Community,” said the envoy.

Amb. Berak further hailed the determination and commitment H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa, the former Tanzania President who is also the Facilitator of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue.

In a press statement issue by his office on December 1^st, 2016 H.E. Mkapa disclosed that a roadmap for the Burundi Dialogue process was developed and presented to the Mediator, H.E. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda on November 2^nd, 2016. The roadmap provides for a series of engagements between December 2016 and June 2017 that will culminate in an agreement.

H.E. Mkapa said that in implementing the roadmap, will in due course be visiting the Republic of Burundi to confer with H.E. President Pierre Nkurunziza and also consult with other political players, adding that this would lay the ground for a series of both formal and informal engagements with and among various stakeholders, in and outside Burundi and also with international actors.

The Facilitator observed that since his appeal in May 2016 to Parties to the Conflict to desist from violent acts and give dialogue a chance, there has been a noticeable improvement on the security situation in Burundi.

H.E. Mkapa said he would continue to urge all Parties to adhere to a non-violent approach to solving the political crisis, adding that the improved security situation in the country had been acknowledged by the international community.

“It is important that as this process proceeds, and for which the Barundi and the EAC citizens will continue to be briefed on the progress, all parties should strive to avoid actions and utterances that are not helpful to the healing process and remain seized of the commitment to a political process,” said the Facilitator.

The Italian Government has appointed Counsellor Roberto Mengoni as Italy’s Permanent Representative to the East African Community.

The Envoy (Roberto Mengoni), who is also the Italian Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, presented his letter of accreditation signed by the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Paolo Gentiloni, to the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, today at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

Welcoming Amb. Mengoni to the EAC Headquarters, the Secretary General commended the Italian Government and people for showing interest in furthering the existing cooperation between Italy and the Community.

Amb. Mfumukeko briefed the Envoy on the key millstones recorded in integration process and pledged to link up the envoy with the East African Business Council through which Italian investors could explore available opportunities. 

On his part, Amb. Mengoni commended the EAC Secretariat for spearheading the integration agenda and highlighted a few areas that the Italian Government was interested in supporting the EAC, especially the Renewable Energy sector. He disclosed that his government was pushing for a policy change on Africa that will see a more robust engagement with the continent and the EAC.

Amb. Mfumukeko and his guest also discussed also the status of negotiations of the EAC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement and the Inter-Burundi dialogue. With regard to the Inter-Burundi Dialogue, Amb. Mengoni hailed the efforts of the Facilitator, H.E. Benjamin Mkapa, and the EAC Secretariat in spearheading the process and called upon all the parties and stakeholders to give peace a chance in Burundi. 

Also present at the ceremony was the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo.

 Italian Counsellor, Roberto Mengoni(R), presents his letter of accreditation to EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko