The Uganda Open Table Tennis Championship made its return after nine years, with Kabojja International School hosting a lively and competitive edition that highlighted the strength of Uganda’s emerging players.
The focus of the tournament quickly shifted to two rising names in the sport as Joseph Ssebatindira and Jemimah Nakawala dominated the singles fields and used the event to sharpen up for the Africa Youth Games in Angola.
Ssebatindira delivered the most complete performance of the weekend by winning both the senior men’s singles and the U-13 title. He moved through the junior draw without dropping a set and closed out the final against Noah Balyewunya in straight sets.
His run in the senior category was more demanding as he had to respond under pressure in almost every round, but he kept his level high enough to defeat Phillip Napokoli 3-1 in a tight final. His only setback came in the team event where he fell 3-1 to Benjamin Acuma of GMS.
Nakawala produced a steady and assured campaign on the women’s side. She kept control in the key moments of each match and secured the title with a clean 3-0 win over Patra Nasirumbi in the final.
Her composure and balance throughout the rounds underlined her growing stature heading into continental competition.
The junior divisions added more signs of progress. Patience Anyango fought back to beat Judith Mirembe and claim the girls’ U-13 crown, while Nakasero swept TT Kids 3-0 in the team final.
In the veterans’ category, Amina Lukaaya and Edward Koboyi combined to defeat Aminah Busingye and Jude Mutete.
The return of the Uganda Open restored an important fixture on the local calendar and offered a clear reminder of the depth developing within Uganda’s young talent pool as the national squad prepares for its next stage in Angola.
