Cyrus Muwanga succeeds Jjagwe as UTTA President

After 11 years at the helm, Robert Jjagwe has officially handed over the leadership of the Uganda Table Tennis Association (UTTA) to a new executive led by Cyrus Muwanga.

The handover took place during the UTTA Elective General Assembly held in Kampala.

Jjagwe, who has led the sport since 2014, oversaw the event attended by delegates from 88 districts. No votes were cast, as all three available elective positions were filled unopposed. Cyrus Muwanga (President), Brian Senyonga (Treasurer), and Joseph Rukundo (General Secretary) were declared elected after no other candidates submitted nominations.

According to the UTTA constitution, only these three positions are subject to election, while other roles will be filled through appointments.

Former Uganda Table Tennis president, Robert Jjagwe (right) chats with the incomming president Cyrus Muwanga at the elective General Assembly. Photo: Silvano Kibuuka

Muwanga, a teacher, businessman, and proprietor of Grand Maria School in Nabbingo, is also a former national team player. He takes over the leadership with a promise to unify the table tennis community and restore the sport’s image.

"I will fight the bad publicity that existed even during my time as a player. Table tennis shaped my life, and I want to give back to the sport," said Muwanga, who also pledged to reconcile with players previously suspended by the outgoing administration. He commended Nakasero Table Tennis Club for its player development and urged other clubs to follow suit.

Muwanga said the rest of the executive, including the Vice President, Technical Director, and four committee members, will be announced by mid-July.

In his farewell speech, Jjagwe emphasized the importance of constitutional governance, warning the new leadership against internal wrangles that have previously hindered progress.

"Infighting has been one of the biggest obstacles in almost every executive. Follow the constitution to the letter,” he urged. “People fought me for selecting players based on merit, but that approach gave Uganda its first world champions and continental medals in 25 years."

Jjagwe also cautioned against leadership overstaying in office, praising the term-limit clause in the UTTA constitution that was instituted during his tenure.

"People advised me to amend the constitution and remain in power, but I refused. No one owns a sport; it belongs to the public," he remarked.

He acknowledged challenges in hosting local tournaments due to limited government funding but pledged continued support through his table tennis table manufacturing company and marketing initiatives for the sport.

Former UTTA president Francis Mulinda (1980–2000) also addressed the assembly, reminding the incoming leadership that sports administration is a voluntary service: “There’s no salary in sports. You must be willing to sacrifice your time.”

With a new administration in place, hopes are high for continued growth and unity in Uganda’s table tennis fraternity.