Nakawala, Nangozi join 400-strong cast for Jinja Table Tennis Open
Both athletes are students at Kibuli Secondary School and will join about 400 other participants, including defending champions Sam Ankunda Mbabazi and Joseph Ssebatindira, to compete across various categories at the two-day event at St Andrews Church Hall.
Parvin Nangonzi (left and Jamimah Nakawala are fresh off winning bronze medallists from the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh. File Photo
Uganda’s bronze medallists from the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Jemimah Nakawala and Parvin Nangozi, are set to bring excitement to the 6th City Tyres Jinja Open Table Tennis Championship taking place in Jinja on November 22 to 23.
The pair teamed up to defeat Azerbaijan’s Marziyya Nurmatoa and Alylin Asgarova 3–2 in the women’s doubles semifinals at the Boulevard SEF Arena, putting Uganda’s table tennis profile further into the spotlight.
Both athletes are students at Kibuli Secondary School and will join about 400 other participants, including defending champions Sam Ankunda Mbabazi and Joseph Ssebatindira, to compete across various categories at the two-day event at St Andrews Church Hall.
City Tyres and its partner Linglong are sponsoring this year’s event, organised for the second time by the DStar Foundation.
They have provided all trophies for the different categories and will also supply uniforms for umpires, timekeepers and referees.
In addition, they will cover allowances, transport competition equipment to Jinja, and reward the winners with trophies, among other rewards, according to City Tyres marketer Herbert Bashasha.
At a news conference on November 18, 2025, to launch the event at the MAZ Complex in Industrial Area, Bashasha spoke alongside Pearl Bikers’ Gianni Franco Masseto, DStar president Daniel Ssekyanzi, UTTA technical director Ronnie Sseruryo, general secretary Steven Karamagi and Daphine Musimenta.
DStar Foundation president Daniel Ssekyanzi returns the ball as Amina Lukaaya, Masseto, Sseruryo, and City Tyres Herbert Bashasha look at the MAZ offices, November 18, 2025. (Credit: Michael Nsubuga)
Bashasha said that sport helps build character and physical and mental strength.
“This is an area where we encourage the youth to participate not only to boost their mental and physical attributes but also the social connection because the sport is played by all ages, and it is the reason we have come on board,” Bashasha said.
“Let us keep the youth active by involving them in sport, and one of the simplest, easiest and accessible sports is table tennis.”
DStar president Daniel Ssekyanzi welcomed the City Tyres sponsorship and pledged to keep the tournament running into the foreseeable future. He said the competition will attract players from different nationalities.
“Table tennis is now prospering; the numbers are increasing, and the level of the sport is improving, given the number of medals being won on the African and world stage,” he noted.
UTTA technical director Ronnie Sseruryo thanked the Mandela Group for bringing the sport into the limelight and the press for amplifying its growth.
Ivy Nekesa called on players who have not registered to do so before the deadline.
Three-time and defending champion Sam Ankunda Mbabazi said he has prepared well and is ready to defend his title.
Amina Lukaya said DStar was started to give back to the sport and explained that the tournament was taken to Jinja to allow participants to enjoy the tourist attractions in the city alongside playing the game.