On April 11, 2026, Mbale Tigers Table Tennis Club joined the global community in commemorating World Parkinson’s Disease Day under the powerful theme, “Bridging the Gap: From Awareness to Action.” The day brought together leaders from the health sector, representatives from Bududa District and Mbale City, academic institutions, partners, caregivers, and individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.
Despite a few logistical delays and late arrivals among key attendees, the event proceeded with purpose. Mr. Watika steered the program as Master of Ceremony, while several partners and leaders—including representatives from Bududa—were present to show support. The focus, however, remained firmly on the cause at hand: transforming awareness into tangible action.
A Call to Close the Gap
Delivering the keynote address, Executive Director Matsyetsye Emmanuel Koboyi highlighted the urgent challenges faced by people living with Parkinson’s in Uganda—late diagnosis, high cost of medication, and social stigma. He emphasized that awareness alone is not enough to change lives.
“That gap is real. Awareness alone will not change this. Action will.”
Ping Pong for Parkinson’s: A Game-Changer
At the heart of Mbale Tigers’ initiative is the innovative Ping Pong for Parkinson’s program. Over the past two years, the club has worked within communities in Mbale and Bududa, demonstrating how table tennis can improve balance, coordination, mood, and slow the progression of symptoms.
More than 50 individuals living with Parkinson’s have already been identified across the region. Some have received essential medication such as levodopa, while all have been enrolled in weekly table tennis therapy sessions. Caregivers are also being trained to provide better home-based care and support.
The presence of patients who were strong enough to attend the event stood as living proof of the program’s impact—restoring not just physical ability, but dignity and a sense of belonging.
Looking Ahead: Turning Plans into Impact
Mbale Tigers used the occasion to call upon government bodies, corporate partners, and educational institutions to step forward through Corporate Social Responsibility and community outreach.
The club outlined clear targets for 2026:
- Securing a year-long supply of essential Parkinson’s medication for identified patients
- Establishing a dedicated Parkinson’s Ping Pong Therapy Centre in Mbale City
- Training 100 caregivers and community health workers across Eastern Uganda
- Hosting quarterly medical and sports camps combining clinical care with therapy
A Collective Responsibility
The message of the day was clear: fighting Parkinson’s requires collective action. Mbale Tigers reaffirmed their commitment to keeping their doors open to all affected individuals, but stressed that lasting impact depends on partnerships.
One call now resounds for all of us:
“Pick up a bat with us. Sponsor a table. Fund a drug. Train a caregiver. Together, let’s win against Parkinson’s.”
In Mbale and beyond, World Parkinson’s Day 2026 was a bold step toward real, measurable change.
