On August 18, 2024, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was the chief guest at the 21st Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) games, which officially kicked off at Bukedea Comprehensive School in Bukedea District, Eastern Uganda.
The school, owned by Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, hosted the event along with AMUS College School and Teso College.
Before opening the games, President Museveni commissioned the newly developed sports park at Bukedea Comprehensive School, which includes a football stadium, an indoor sports arena, and an Olympic-size swimming pool. He commended Among and her colleagues for quickly developing the sports infrastructure at a reasonable cost and encouraged others to follow suit across Uganda.
Museveni, speaking in Swahili, emphasized that East African integration is not only about sports but also strategic security, prosperity, and the necessity of expanding markets for regional goods. He cited Uganda’s experiences in needing larger markets for products like maize and milk.
Rt. Hon. Anita Among welcomed participants from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi, thanking President Museveni for commissioning the Sports Arena and for his vision in sports development. A total of 3,526 participants are taking part in the games, with Uganda fielding the largest contingent of 1,590 participants.
Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, thanked President Museveni for championing the East African Community Federation and stressed the importance of involving young people in the integration process through sports. He urged participants to maintain the integrity of the competition.
FEASSA President Justus Mugisha praised Museveni for being the first president to grace a FEASSA event, recognizing his lifelong dedication to East African integration and sports development. He expressed hope that similar sports infrastructure would be developed across East Africa.
The event was attended by notable figures, including Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, NRM First National Vice Chairman Hajj Moses Kigongo, NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region Capt. Mike Mukula, FUFA President Hon. Moses Magogo, and Kampala businessmen Sudhir Ruparelia, Godfrey Kirumira, and Hamis Kiggundu.