UTTA approves UGX 2 Billion budget as Annual General Meeting ratifies Executive Board

By Emmanuel Sekago

The Uganda Table Tennis Association (UTTA) successfully held its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Hotel Africana in Kampala, bringing together delegates from 75 member clubs representing 75 districts across Uganda, alongside officials from the National Council of Sports (NCS) and other key stakeholders in the sport.

The AGM served as an important platform for reviewing the Association’s progress, strengthening governance structures, and charting the future direction of table tennis development in Uganda.

A major highlight of the meeting was the unanimous ratification of the UTTA Executive Board by delegates representing the Association’s 75 member clubs. The endorsement reaffirmed members’ confidence in the current leadership and its vision for advancing table tennis across the country.

The Assembly also approved the admission of new members to the UTTA General Assembly, further broadening participation and representation within the Association’s governance structures.

During the meeting, delegates reviewed reports from the Finance, Technical, Secretariat, and Media & Publicity departments, highlighting achievements, challenges, and opportunities recorded over the past year.

Updates from member clubs were also presented, with delegates engaging in discussions on strategies aimed at strengthening governance, expanding participation, improving competition structures, and accelerating the development of table tennis nationwide.

The UTTA Executive Board presented its 2026–2027 Annual Work Plan and Budget, outlining key priorities focused on expanding participation, strengthening regional structures, developing athletes and technical officials, enhancing competition systems, and increasing the sport’s footprint across Uganda.

The Assembly approved a proposed budget of UGX 2 billion for the 2026–2027 financial year to support the implementation of these strategic objectives.

The AGM was attended by Ms. Diana Kwesiga, Senior Legal Counsel at the National Council of Sports (NCS), who represented the Council and provided guidance on governance and institutional development matters.

In her remarks, Ms. Kwesiga emphasized the importance of compliance with the National Sports Act, 2023, noting that all National Sports Associations and Federations are required to demonstrate a national character through broad-based representation and support from districts across the country.

She commended UTTA for successfully meeting this requirement, citing the participation of delegates representing 75 member clubs from 75 districts who unanimously ratified the Association’s Executive Board.

Ms. Kwesiga subsequently witnessed the ratification process and praised UTTA for its commitment to strengthening governance and aligning its structures with the provisions of the National Sports Act, 2023.

The Association also used the AGM to appeal to the Government of Uganda for increased financial support to enable UTTA to effectively fulfill its mandate of promoting and developing table tennis across all regions of the country.

Delegates commended the Association for maintaining strong engagement with member clubs through outreach visits conducted in various districts. They particularly appreciated UTTA’s efforts to support grassroots development through the donation of table tennis equipment and the provision of technical support aimed at strengthening local club structures.

The delegates pledged continued collaboration with UTTA in identifying, nurturing, and developing talent within their respective clubs and districts, recognizing grassroots development as the foundation for the long-term success of the sport.

Speaking during the AGM, UTTA President Cyrus Mark Muwanga reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to grassroots development as the cornerstone of its strategy for the coming year.

“Our focus in the coming year is to take table tennis closer to the people. UTTA will be implementing regional outreach programs across the country to train coaches and umpires, strengthen local structures, and provide equipment to all our member clubs,” Muwanga said.

“We believe that sustainable growth of the sport begins at the grassroots, and we are committed to ensuring that every region has the capacity and resources needed to nurture talent and increase participation.”

He added that increased government support would be critical in helping the Association expand access to the sport, identify and develop talent, strengthen club structures, and create opportunities for young people throughout Uganda.

Muwanga noted that UTTA remains committed to building a strong and sustainable foundation for table tennis through improved governance, capacity building, and nationwide participation.

The Association expressed appreciation to the National Council of Sports, member club delegates, athletes, technical officials, development partners, and the media fraternity for their continued support and contribution to the growth of table tennis in Uganda.

UTTA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting excellence, inclusivity, transparency, accountability, and sustainable growth as it seeks to elevate the sport to greater heights both nationally and internationally.