Uganda’s dream of continental glory finally came to life in Tunisia as Judith Nangonzi and Jemimah Nakawala made history with a bronze medal finish at the African Senior Table Tennis Championships — the country’s first-ever medal in the women’s doubles category.
The pair’s remarkable run lit up the tournament, starting with a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Madagascar in the round of 16, followed by another nail-biting 3–2 triumph against South Africa in the quarterfinals. Their fairytale journey ended in the semifinals, where they fell 3–1 to a dominant Egyptian duo, who went on to reach the final. Hosts Tunisia shared the bronze with Uganda after bowing out at the same stage.
For coach Paul Mutambuze, the result signified more than just a medal — it was a statement of Uganda’s growing presence in African table tennis.
“These girls have made the country proud,” Mutambuze said. “Their discipline, effort, and commitment have paid off. Credit also goes to Nakasero Table Tennis Club for grooming them into champions. This is just the beginning of more success stories.”
Uganda Table Tennis Association (UTTA) president Cyrus Muwanga, who traveled with the team, described the duo’s feat as “historic and inspiring,” adding that it proves Uganda can compete with Africa’s elite.
“This medal shows that our investment in grassroots development is bearing fruit,” he noted. “It’s a proud moment for Ugandan sport.”
In the singles competition, Nangonzi reached the round of 16 before bowing out, while Nakawala exited in the round of 32. The men’s doubles pair of Jonathan Senyonga and Joshua Magaya also put up a strong fight before being eliminated by Egypt in the round of 16.
The championship, which attracted players from 25 African nations, concludes this Sunday with the national team finals. The top eight teams from both the men’s and women’s categories will qualify for the 2026 World Table Tennis Championships in London.
