Uganda’s parliamentary basketball team is turning the Speaker’s Cup into a strategic preparation ground as it seeks to retain its title at the 2026 East African Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary Games in Arusha, Tanzania, this December.
With newly elected legislators still adjusting to the demands of competitive basketball, the tournament is providing a platform to build match fitness, sharpen team cohesion and familiarise players with the intensity of high-pressure contests.
Basketball captain Hon. Mwine Mpaka said the decision to stage the Speaker’s Cup final at Hoima City Stadium is intended to expose new Members of Parliament to the atmosphere of playing before large crowds, a vital experience ahead of the regional competition.
“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 second edition of the Speaker’s Cup introduced to encourage greater participation in training sessions while providing players with regular competitive action.
Head coach Francis Kasinde said the initiative is already delivering results by giving legislators an additional 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 basketball contingent has been divided into four sides—Basuuga, Batebbe, Basuuna and Babiito—which are competing for honours in the internal tournament.
The latest group-stage fixtures saw Basuuga defeat Batebbe 48–33, while Babiito registered a 42–36 victory over Basuuna to strengthen their respective campaigns.
The results have set up two semi-final encounters, with Basuuga taking on Basuuna and Babiito facing Batebbe. The tournament will culminate in a final at Hoima City Stadium.
Beyond the internal competition, Uganda’s preparations are centred on defending the national parliamentary team’s regional crown, with the technical team hoping that sustained training and competitive exposure will translate into another successful campaign in Tanzania.
Mpaka also explained that the four team names were selected according to what was trending when the tournament was launched, with each side choosing its own identity.
As the December games approach, the Speaker’s Cup is expected to remain central to Uganda’s preparations, combining competition with a broader effort to improve participation, physical conditioning and readiness among parliamentary basketball players.
