Uganda’s women’s table tennis team continued their remarkable rise on the continental stage with a historic qualification for the 2026 World Table Tennis Championships (WTTC) in London, after registering an emphatic 3–1 victory over South Africa in the team event at the ongoing African Senior Table Tennis Championships in Tunis, Tunisia.
The win — which came on the heels of an earlier 3–0 demolition of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) — sealed Uganda’s place among Africa’s top national teams and confirmed their ticket to the world showpiece. The 2026 WTTC will be a particularly special edition, marking 100 years since the inaugural World Table Tennis Championships held in 1926 in London, where the sport first gained global recognition.
Led by head coach Paul Mutambuze, the Ugandan girls displayed resilience, tactical discipline, and unwavering team spirit to overcome a spirited South African side that came into the fixture as favorites. Uganda’s charge was spearheaded by Judith Nangonzi and Jemimah Nakawala, who have been in superb form throughout the tournament — their recent bronze-medal finish in the women’s doubles already turning heads across Africa.
Nangonzi got Uganda off to a perfect start by outclassing her South African opponent in straight sets, showcasing her trademark speed and sharp forehand strokes. Nakawala then battled through a tense five-set thriller, displaying remarkable mental strength to edge Uganda closer to victory. Despite South Africa pulling one back in the third match, team captain Brenda Nantale sealed the win with a commanding performance that left no doubt about Uganda’s superiority.
Coach Mutambuze was full of praise for his players’ fighting spirit and composure under pressure.
“This is a monumental achievement for Uganda. The girls have shown heart, unity, and hunger to compete at the highest level. Qualifying for the World Championships is not just a victory for the team — it’s a victory for Ugandan sport,” he said.
Uganda Table Tennis Association (UTTA) president Cyrus Muwanga, who has been accompanying the team in Tunisia, described the result as a defining moment in the country’s table tennis history.
“We’ve waited for this breakthrough for a long time. These young women have shown what dedication and structured development can achieve. To qualify for a world event of such magnitude — and on the centenary of the WTTC — is truly historic,” Muwanga remarked.
Uganda’s qualification means they will now join Africa’s elite nations such as Egypt, Nigeria, and Tunisia at the centennial edition of the World Table Tennis Championships London 2026, where they will compete against the world’s best players.
