Four to represent Uganda at Africa Region IV Golf Championship

A four-man Ugandan team is aiming to reclaim the Africa Region IV Golf Championship title from defending champions Kenya when the two countries meet again at the tournament, scheduled for November 25 to 29, 2025, at the Golf Du Rova Hotel course in Madagascar.

Uganda, led by manager Paul Habyarimana, has selected Joseph Kasozi, Anthony Otukei, Reagan Akena, and debutant Godfrey Kambale for a contest expected to attract nine countries.

Kenya has won the last three editions, hosted in Uganda in 2022, Ethiopia in 2023, and Kigali last year.

Lugazi Golf and Country Club’s Akena will captain Uganda, a two-time winner of the event, which will feature hosts Madagascar alongside Uganda, Kenya, Mauritius, La Reunion, and Tanzania.

Each nation will field four golfers, with the best three scores per round counting towards the 54-hole competition.

NCS's Milton Chebet (right) hands over the Ugandan flag to captain Joseph Akena (2nd right) alongside NCS Sports Officer Charles Cherop (left), coach Flavia Namakula, Joseph Kasozi, Godfrey Kambale, and team manager Paul Habyarimana (2nd right) before they left for the Africa Region IV Golf Championship in Madagascar, November 21, 2025. (Credit: Michael Nsubuga)

Uganda finished second at the Kigali Golf Resort and Villas course last year, a position they hope to improve this time.

“The team has prepared well for the last two weeks, and in between, they went to play in the CM Invitational Championship in Thika, Nairobi, where they performed very well, with Otukei finishing fourth, which gives us hope that the team is going to perform well in Madagascar,” team coach Flavia Namakula said.

Kasozi expressed confidence that the team would return with the trophy. “We have prepared at the different courses in Uganda, and we feel we are ready to bring the trophy back home. The expectations are high this time,” Kasozi stated.

“We have been working so hard over the last two weeks with our coach, and we are ready to go for it,” Akena added.

Debutant Kambale, 22, said it was a dream come true to be part of the squad and that he was prepared to represent the country well.

“I’m proud and excited for this event, and I have greatly improved all the aspects of my game, and I’m ready to tee off,” Kambale, who has been in the game for ten years, said.

The team was officially flagged off by National Council of Sports general secretary-technical Milton Chebet, who reminded them of their responsibility to the nation.

“We are at a time when sports are flourishing; everybody we flag off comes back with medals, so my message to the team is that they should defend the Ugandan flag by performing to their best, remembering the aspirations they carry for the country, and I know they have prepared very well, and so we wish them the best,” Chebet stated.

Once the championship concludes, attention will shift to the Africa Youth Games, where golf will feature for the first time. The event will take place in Luanda, Angola, from December 10 to 16.

Each participating country will field a team of either four boys or three girls. The Africa Youth Games are being organised by the Confederation of African Sports in Olympics (CASOL).