Parliament of Kenya men’s tug-of-war team delivered a commanding performance on Monday afternoon, overpowering their counterparts from the Parliament of Uganda in two consecutive rounds during the ongoing East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games (EAC-IPG) in Kampala.
The match, held at the Lugogo Cricket Circuit Grounds, drew a lively crowd of legislators, staff, and supporters eager to witness one of the most intense and entertaining contests on the programme.
The atmosphere was electric, with patriotic cheers echoing across the arena as the two sides squared off in a test of strength, endurance, and teamwork.
Uganda, the home side, stepped onto the pitch in sharp white-and-black jerseys, backed by enthusiastic local supporters confident of a victory on native soil.
Kenya, however, arrived with quiet determination, sporting striking jerseys in black, red, and green — the colours of the national flag — symbolising unity, resilience, and pride.
From the start of the first pull, it was clear that Kenya’s team had arrived well-prepared. Their synchronised rhythm, strong anchoring, and tactical coordination gave them an early advantage.
As the rope tightened and muscles strained, chants of “Kenya! Kenya!” grew louder, pushing the team to dig deeper.
Within moments, Kenya, captained by Tigania West John Mutunga, surged forward, pulling Uganda past the mark and sealing the opening round.
Uganda attempted to regroup for the second pull, adjusting their formation and strategy in hopes of levelling the contest.
The crowd rallied behind them with renewed energy, but the Kenyan side proved unrelenting.
Demonstrating superior grip, balance, and cohesion, the Parliament of Kenya men’s team drove forward once again, overpowering the host nation to clinch the second round and thus the match.
Kenyan MPs and staff on the sidelines erupted in celebration, praising the team’s resilience and unity.
The win also heightened Kenya’s competitive spirit heading into the remaining events, underscoring the depth of their preparation for the regional tournament.
Uganda, despite the loss, earned admiration for its fighting spirit and sportsmanship, with players exchanging warm handshakes and cheers after the contest, a reflection of the camaraderie that defines the annual EAC games.
Nevertheless, the 2–0 victory underscored Kenya’s growing dominance in team sports at this year’s Games, coming barely a year after triumphing against their opponents Uganda.
It also showcased the camaraderie and competitive spirit that the EAC-IPG seeks to promote among member parliaments.
