EALA are Champs

Posted in Press Release

Finally, EALA are champs of the Inter-Parliamentary Football tournament. The Regional Assembly late Thursday put to a halt, Parliament of Uganda’s dominance in soccer, beating them 4-3 on penalties.

The regular time score ended 1-1. EALA took the lead through their striker who picked a loose ball from Wycliff Ketto to latch the ball past Goalie Ssekide Dan, sending the crowd in to a frenzy. The match started on a high note with EALA dominating the play.

Hon. Martin Ngoga and Hon. Taslima Twaha controlled the midfield in the earlier stages of the match. EALA Speaker, Rt Hon. Daniel Kidega could have put the victors ahead in the 17th minute but he shot wide with the Parliament of Rwanda Goalkeeper, Bosabose Emile beaten.

Parliament of Uganda then settled and began making inroads into the EALA defence line marshalled by Peter Asiimwe and Hon. Straton Ndikuryayo. Captain Hon. Patrick Nsanja missed a sitter after receiving a pass from striker Hon. Nsereko Muhammad mid-way as the match progressed.

In the second half, Parliament of Uganda came back a more rejuvenated side following Coach Tom Lwanga’s pep talk to his charges. Hon. Otto Odonga collected the ball from the midfield and beat two defenders to set a through pass to Hon. Nsanja Patrick who slotted home the equaliser.

The match went into extra-time but ended in a draw resulting in a penalty. EALA Goalkeeper saved a crucial penalty taken by Hon. Muhammad Nsereko as the match ended 4-3 in their favour.

Dan Ssekide, Edward Mubiru and Hon. Nsanja Patrick scored the spot kicks. Hon. Gatabazi JMV won the Most Valuable Player’s award after having tied with EALA striker Wycliff Ketto. The rules governing soccer provide that where a Member of Parliament ties with a staff, then the former shall be accorded the prize.

The golden boot (top scorer) went to Hon. Patrick Nsanja of Uganda while Parliament of Kenya won the most disciplined team.

Earlier on, Parliament of Rwanda scooped position three after beating Parliament of Kenya 4-2 in penalties after a match that ended in a barren draw. It was yet another day when Parliament of Kenya’s strikers failed to find the back of the net. Scorers for the Parliament of Rwanda were Nshimiyimana Ernest, Habimana Augustin, Ngoboka Eric and Ndagijimana Eric.

Senator Isaac Melly and Jorum Baraza scored for Parliament of Kenya while Hon. Peter Kaluma and Jillo Yezeli shot wide. Parliament of Kenya also bagged the volleyball men’s tournament, athletics men and the overall trophy in athletics.

In women’s volleyball, Parliament of Rwanda were declared winners beating Parliament of Kenya by 2 sets to 0, 25-20 and 25-16.

Parliament of Uganda were declared the champs of the 2015 netball tournament. Parliament of Uganda beat Parliament of Kenya 45-9.

Leading goal shooter, Hon. Susan Netasiire won the golden hand after amassing 79 points while Hon. Winifred Kiiza was declared the Most Valuable Player.

EAC Secretary-General cautions on Climate Change

Posted in Press Release

The Secretary-General of the East African Community, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera has cautioned the international community that the world was at a crossroads and the outcome of the Paris Climate Conference shall either bequeath a better, safer planet to future generations, or “destroy our common heritage and our shared humanity”.

Speaking at the 21st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also serving as the 11th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP11) currently underway in Paris, France, the Secretary-General expressed the wishes and expectations of the East African citizens on the Paris Climate Change talks and reckoned that the Agreement must take into consideration the interest of the vulnerable and poor by ensuring that adaptation is equally prioritised and differentiated responsibilities of developed and developing countries reflected in the Agreement.

Amb. Sezibera further urged that issues related to loss and damage associated with Climate Change impact must be firmly anchored in the agreement through the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage and country ownership of adaptation and mitigation programmes and projects, and ensure transparency in the provisions of financial, technology transfer and other forms of support including capacity building, which should be customised to specific needs of beneficiary countries.

“EAC is ready and committed towards supporting implementation of the Paris Agreement by supporting EAC Partner States through the process of ratification of the agreement to pave way for its early entry into force in 2020”, the Secretary-General reiterated.

The EAC official reaffirmed the region’s commitment to aligning its existing Regional Climate Change Policy (2011), the 5 year EAC Climate Change Strategy and Master Plan (2033) to the Paris Agreement as well as fast tracking the process for enacting a Regional Climate Change Bill through the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

He called for international support in the capitalisation of the EAC Climate Change Fund through pioneering the accreditation of EAC as a Regional Implementing Entities under the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund.

Speaking at the African Day of COP21 convened under the theme; Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs): implications, prospects and Africa’s readiness to contribute to climate solutions, the Secretary-General applauded the EAC Partner States for submitting their INDCs to address climate change mitigation and adaptation.

“Information included in the INDCs should facilitate negotiations and deliver a new Climate Agreement in Paris”, said the Secretary-General. He stated that region was looking forward to the implementation of INDCs based on associated support requirements of finance, technology transfer, and capacity building to be provided by the developed countries.

He asserted that EAC was fully in support of the continental climate resilient and low carbon development initiatives and programmes such as the Africa Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance, the African Adaptation and Loss and Damage Initiative, and the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative launched in Paris. The newly established EAC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency stands to contribute to the implementation of the latter Initiative.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference commenced on 30th November 2015 and is expected to close on 11th December 2015 by delivering a new global climate agreement negotiated by UNFCCC Parties under the Ad-hoc Working Group on Durban Platform for Enhanced Action.