Uganda’s table tennis scene reached a historic milestone as teenage sensations Jemimah Nakawala and Judith Parvin Nangonzi clinched a bronze medal in the women’s doubles event at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two, both students of Kibuli Secondary School, became the first Ugandan women to stand on the podium in table tennis at the prestigious multi-sport event.
The young pair displayed poise and promise throughout the tournament, defeating a resilient Azerbaijan side 3–2 in a thrilling quarterfinal before facing Iran’s Shima Safaei and Neda Shahsavari in the semis. Nakawala and Nangonzi started brightly, taking the opening game 11–9, but Iran’s experience shone through as they rallied to win the next three games 11–3, 11–2, and 11–8. Despite the 1–3 loss, the Ugandan duo’s bronze finish marked a historic breakthrough for their nation.
Head coach Alvin Katumba lauded his players for their courage and composure against top-ranked opponents. “These girls have shown that Uganda can compete with the best. Their discipline, teamwork, and hunger to win have made this achievement possible,” Katumba said after the medal ceremony.
In the men’s doubles, Joseph Francis Sebatindira and Joshua Magaya battled valiantly but fell 1–3 to Guyana’s Bryan Anthony Nigel and Ronaldo Britton Shemar. Nakawala, who also competed in the women’s singles, reached the quarterfinals before bowing out 1–4 to Egypt’s top seed Yousra Ashraf Abdelrazek.
For Uganda, this bronze medal is more than just hardware, it’s a statement. Nakawala and Nangonzi’s feat signals the dawn of a new era for Ugandan table tennis, inspiring a generation of young athletes to believe that international success is within reach.
