Can Ugandan golfers qualify for the World Cup again?

The Uganda Junior Golf Team is aiming to emulate the success of their peers from 2019 and 2023 by qualifying for the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan, as they compete in the All-Africa Junior Golf Championship in Tunisia.

When they step onto the Residence Golf Course in Tunisia on Thursday, they will not only be competing for the title but also vying for one of two slots allocated to African nations for the international tournament.

The Toyota Junior Golf World Cup features junior national teams from 21 countries—12 men’s teams and 9 women’s teams—competing for the world title. The global event will be held in June.

National Junior Golf Team player Keisha Kagoro in action. (Credit: Michael Nsubuga)

Two years ago, Uganda was among the 23 teams at the par-71 Chukyo Golf Club Ishino Course in Toyota City. The team—comprising Juma Abiti, Reagan Akena, Ibrahim Ssemakula, and Abdu Kakeeto—posted a final-round score of 226 strokes, finishing the 72-hole championship with a total of 940 strokes.

They trailed behind record winners South Africa, who dominated the event with a total of 850 strokes over four rounds.

Earlier, in 2019, coach Stephen Kasaija’s team—Michael Alunga, Dennis Asaba, Ibrahim Aliga, and Joel Basalaine—also qualified through a similar championship held at the Phakalane Golf Estate Club in Botswana.

South Africa, the record holders, remain favourites in Tunisia, so Uganda’s best chance of qualifying for Japan lies in securing at least second place.

Rugumambaju

Uganda’s team includes Peter Mayende, Anthony Otukei, and foreign-based players Shaka Kariisa and John Paul Rugumambaju. The girls’ team comprises Rachael Laura Natukunda, Elizabeth Danelle Kawalya, and Keisha Wiltshire Kagoro.

The two local boys, along with Natukunda, recently benefited from a high-performance training programme conducted by South African coaches at the Lugazi Hills Course in Lugazi. They hope the skills gained will give them an edge in Tunisia.

Team coach Namakula said her squad is well-prepared, having completed an additional four-day training camp at the Lake Victoria Serena Course before departure.
“I’m confident that the team is going to make it in Tunisia,” she stated.