Uganda’s junior table tennis team has stunned the continent with a record-breaking performance at the 2025 African Table Tennis Festival held in Lagos, Nigeria. The seven-member team, previously seen as underdogs, defied expectations by clinching a total of eight medals, five gold, two silver, and one bronze, marking Uganda’s best-ever showing at a continental table tennis competition.
Among the standout performers was Joseph Sebatindira, who secured gold in the U-15 boys’ singles after an intense all-Ugandan final against his elder brother, Shafir Nsereko, who took silver. Sebatindira’s triumph continued as he also partnered with Patience Anyango to dominate the U-12 singles categories in their respective divisions, both bringing home gold. Their dominance at such a young age has been widely praised by pundits and fans alike.
History was further made when the girls’ team, comprising Jemimah Nakawala, Patra Nasirumbi, and Anyango, clinched Uganda’s first-ever continental gold in the team event. Their cohesion, tactical precision, and unshakable spirit earned them a standing ovation from spectators and cemented their place in the annals of Ugandan sports.
The team’s success has been attributed in large part to the strategic guidance of coaches Alvin Katumba and Tendo Balyewunya. Their dedication to nurturing young talent and instilling discipline and confidence in the players proved instrumental in Uganda’s unprecedented medal haul. The coaching duo has been hailed for crafting a team that not only competes but wins against traditional continental powerhouses.
Uganda’s breakthrough in Lagos has sparked excitement across the nation and the wider African table tennis community. With this golden generation of players, Uganda is no longer a distant competitor but a rising force to watch on the continental stage. The team’s remarkable performance has laid a foundation for future success and ignited national pride in the sport’s potential to shine internationally.
