By John Barnes Ssentamu.
The Uganda Table Tennis Association has wrapped up one of its busiest periods with outstanding performances by its athletes in Tunisia and the United Kingdom.
In Tunisia, during the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Seniors Championship, Uganda secured two medals a bronze in the women’s doubles by Jemimah Nakawala and Parvin Judith Nangonzi, and a silver in the women’s team event, where the duo was joined by Judith Mirembe.
On their way to securing the silver medal, Uganda defeated Nigeria in the semifinals before falling 0–3 to Egypt in the final.
According to the Uganda Table Tennis Association, the silver and bronze medals, combined with the women’s team qualification for the London 2026 World Table Tennis Team Championships which will mark 100 years of table tennis are achievements worth celebrating.
“The team departed with so much optimism and truth is we targeted qualification for London 2026. But now see what we have reaped. Two medals and our target. Isn’t God good on us?” said a jubilant UTTA Vice President, Carolyn Aziku.
At the championship, which attracted 29 nations competing across all categories, Uganda also fielded a men’s team consisting of David Odoi, Joshua Magaya and Jonathan Ssenyonga.
Meanwhile, in Sheffield, UK, at the 2025 ITTF World Hopes Week and Challenge, Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira topped the boys’ category at the event, which is reserved for the best players under 12 years.
The competition followed an intensive training program, with games held over the final two days.
Uganda was also represented in the girls’ category by Patience Anyango, who finished eighth out of 18 participants.
The Sheffield event drew entrants from some of the top table tennis nations in the world, including the USA, New Zealand, Italy, Argentina, Canada, Australia and Nigeria.
Most of the Ugandan players who competed in Tunisia and the UK will return home to prepare for the upcoming Islamic Solidarity Games, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia next month.
The Tunisia team was coached by Paul Mutambuze (Oly), while Alvin Katumba and Tendo Balyewunya handled the Sheffield contingent.
