National golf team coach Flavia Namakula is confident her charges will rise to the occasion and beat Kenya, when the two countries clash in the two-nation annual Victoria Cup to be played at Kitante starting February 1 to 3.

A team of nine players is undergoing preparations for the sixth edition of the annual event which couldn’t be played last year owing to a busy golf calendar in Kenya.

The belated competition offers an opportunity for the hosts to reclaim the Victoria Cup which Uganda last won at Kitante in 2019.

“The preparations are going very well and I believe the team is ready. From the time we did the qualifiers up to now the pairings, the work ethic, and the response to training all have been going very well,” Namakula said after Monday’s training session.

“The team is ready and is confident that they are going to make it. Even the new faces on the team are coping well and we continue to sharpen their mental stability and by the time we get to play they will be sharper."

According to Namakula the team has been playing 36 holes every day and going through the different formats of the competition that is played under the foursomes, four-ball-better-ball, and the singles.

“They have to feel and believe in themselves and trust their partners that they are with, so Ugandans should not just expect a win but a big win,” Namakula stated.

Uganda will be represented by Joseph Cwinya-ai, Ibrahim Bagalana, John Musimenta, Reagan Akena, Andrew Ssekibejja, Amon Bwambale, Titus Okwong, Elton Thembo, Ibrahim Ssemakula, and Joseph Kasozi.

The Kenyans have also unleashed a strong squad that includes Michael Karanga, John Lejrima, Elvis Muigua, Ebill Omollo, and Dennis Maara. The rest are Sammy Mulama, Josphat Rono, Krish Beiju, and Danny Chelogoi.

The tournament started in 2016 with Kenya winning the first three editions before Uganda won the tournament on home soil in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic frustrated the 2020 and 2021 editions.

It resumed in 2022 with Kenya dominating proceedings at Limuru Golf Club, beating Uganda by 21-5 points over the three rounds of competition.