By William Lubuulwa
This Sunday, July 13, 2025, the Corporate Games will witness a rare and electrifying spectacle not just of athletes in motion but of leadership in action. Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, the Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), will not be sitting on the sidelines. He will be on the pitch, in the arena, at the table actively playing, motivating, and leading his team through the 5th outing of this season at the Jeff International University sports grounds in Butabika.
Known for his sharp intellect in policy, few would expect the same finesse to be mirrored in sport. But Akankwasah can be a figure of quiet dread among rival teams – his presence both commanding and energizing at the outing. Whether it’s chess, woodball, or football, he plays with precision and leads with heart. This CEO doesn’t just cheer. He competes. And when he does, the team wins. 
With NEMA already perched at the top of the standings with 175 points, only five points clear of its closest challenger, Ritz Medical Centre (170 points), this CEO outing is more than ceremonial. It is a test of resolve and reputation. And NEMA, under Akankwasah’s direct sporty leadership, is ready to fight for every point.
A Squad to Watch
Team NEMA’s ascent to the top hasn’t been accidental. It has been earned through consistent brilliance across the board. The team leads the swimming chart with 40 points, has dominated in chess (33 points), basketball (26), woodball (24), and performed strongly in football (18), volleyball (2), and netball (12). These aren’t just scores – they are statements.
NEMA’s tactical depth and fitness levels have transformed it from a regulatory authority into a sports powerhouse. And now, with our Executive Director donning the jersey alongside the foot soldiers, the message is clear: we lead from the front – on and off the field, and across the entire environment.
The Pressure Mounts
Ritz Medical Centre, also a top-performing team in football (24), woodball (40), and netball (15), is breathing down NEMA’s neck. Yes, the margin is tight, and the stakes are higher than ever. With just a few outings left this season, every match, every point, every sprint matters.
Other contenders like Total Energies Uganda (140 points), SCD Darling (138), and Uganda Medical Association (122) are still mathematically in the race, but the top two are locked in a head-to-head clash that may be decided this weekend.
The Green Standard
The Corporate Games, built to promote wellness, teamwork, and inter-agency camaraderie, have grown into a true battlefield of corporate pride and performance.
For NEMA, participation has never been about appearances. It’s about demonstrating excellence, unity, and the very spirit of sustainability the Authority advocates for in its day-to-day mandate.
And now, with Akankwasah spearheading the charge both as a CEO and a competitor, the message is unmistakable – NEMA doesn’t just manage the environment. It manages to lead in every arena.
As the sun rises over Butabika this Sunday, the green flag won’t just symbolize the start of competition – it will represent the growing strength of a team that believes in action, not rhetoric.
Victory is within reach. And with a team captain like Akankwasah in the game, NEMA is not just ready to play. It is ready to win.
Mr. Lubuulwa is the Senior Public Relations Officer at NEMA._
