Two young Ugandan table tennis players from Kampala’s slum communities are in Belgrade, Serbia, to represent Uganda at the International School Sports Federation (ISF) U15 Games, in a groundbreaking milestone that highlights the transformative power of sport in disadvantaged communities.
Junior Mark Bagambe and Allan Wetogo, both members of the Slum Ping Pong (SPP) Table Tennis Club, departed Entebbe on Thursday for the competition, which runs from April 4 to 14.
The two athletes are products of a grassroots project designed to support slum children through education and table tennis.
The SPP initiative, which currently pays school fees for more than 50 children, has provided playing equipment, coaching, and competition opportunities to underserved youth in Kampala.
Much of the support has been mobilized by Mark Winter, a German national and father of Germany’s top-ranked female player, Sabine Winter.
Winter has played a central role in connecting Ugandan children with German-based sponsors willing to cover the costs of education, equipment, and coach salaries.
“It’s hard to believe that slum children, whose families live in police barracks and informal settlements, are now flying across continents to represent their country,” said Robert Jjagwe, President of the Uganda Table Tennis Association. “This is a true testament to what sport can do.”
Bagambe and Wetogo are both enrolled at Seroma Christian High School on sports scholarships, with the school also supporting their travel to Serbia.
The story of sport-driven transformation extends beyond the capital.
In Eastern Uganda, a similar project—TT Kids Uganda—has produced another rising star: 13-year-old Mirembe Judith from Nabitende in Iganga District.
Judith made her international debut in July 2024, when she represented Uganda at the Africa Continental Hopes Championship in Gaborone, Botswana, contributing a bronze medal to Uganda’s historic haul of five out of six medals available.
Her performance caught the attention of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), which has since selected her for the ITTF Rising Stars training camp scheduled for June 2025 in Sweden.
Judith has also received a $2,500 grant from the ITTF, in partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to support her participation in international events this year.
“She came to Kampala recently to pick up her UGX 500,000 reward for her performance in Botswana,” Jjagwe revealed. “Her story is a reminder that talent, when supported, can break through even the most difficult circumstances.”
Uganda’s performance in Botswana was unprecedented, with the country winning 5 of the 6 medals on offer—a feat never before achieved by an African nation at the championship.
With continued support from international partners and local institutions, Uganda’s table tennis scene is emerging as both a sporting and social development success story.
“We extend our sincere thanks to all those who are helping us transform lives through table tennis,” said Jjagwe. “And we wish Junior, Allan, and Judith continued success as they chase their dreams.”
