The Uganda national golf team squared it out with Kenya on 11 points apiece as the sixth edition championship ended at Kitante on Saturday.

The draw meant that Kenya retained the championship on count-back, picking their fifth trophy and the third in a row; in the annual match-play event between the two nations, which is akin to the Ryder Cup between the USA and Europe.

The Ugandan team could have displayed their best golf in recent times but could not win their second cup at home after Kenya dug deep to peg back the determined hosts who in the decisive round came out guns-brazing and led eight of the ten singles matches for a long time before the Kenyans recovered to level matters.

Amon Bwambale of Uganda feels the Victoria Cup trophy as the other members applaud after the sixth edition of the Victoria Cup at Kitante. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Kenyan High Commissioner George Owinow (with cap-center) and UGU president Moses Matsiko (sixth left) and other Kenyan officials pose with the Kenyan team after they retained the sixth edition title of the Victoria Cup at Kitante

The Ugandans are not accustomed to this format of competition as there is none the young players can compete in before such engagements but in the few weeks they have been together they showed that they can make it with more preparation time.

Having trailed Kenya by three points (5.5-2.5pts) on the first day of action Uganda took the bull by the horns and clawed back to level the competition (5-5pts each) after the third round of the four-ball-better-ball competition. This was after the foursomes that would have been on the day’s menu were cancelled due to a soggy course following overnight rain. The pairs of Titus Okwong/Andrew Ssekibejja, Joseph Cwinya-ai/Joseph Kasozi, and that of Ibrahim Bagalana/John Musiimenta won their matches against Dennis Maara/Michael Karanga, John Lejrima, and Sammy Mulama/Beiju Krisch respectively as Amon Bwambale/Elton Thembo squared it out with Elvis Muigua/Adel Balala.

Amon Bwambale toasts his putter after notching a birdie on the 8th green. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

In the final singles round team captain, Joseph Cwinya-ai set the pace early on by easily winning 5&4 against Adel Balala as Amon Bwambale led proceedings against John Lejrima who had to dig deep to eventually edge the 20-year on the 18th green.

Bwambale led the match for a long period and was 4up going to the 12th tee and about to cause the biggest upset of the tournament but his opponent Lejrima who is no stranger to the Kitante course having won the Uganda Open at the same facility in 2020, woke up to the reality and engaged high gear scoring three birdies and an eagle on the 13th hole to catch-up on the inexperienced youngster.

Ibrahim Bagalana was also 4up going to the 9th hole but lost the 9th and 10th holes to cross with a 2up score against Sammy Mulama. But he also later sealed the victory, winning 5&3 (by five holes with three to go).

Kenya captain Dennis Maara (left) and Uganda captain Joseph Cwinya-ai (right) are presented the Victoria Cup by Kenyan High Commissioner George Owinow (center) as UGU president Moses Matsiko (2nd right) looks on after the sixth edition of the Victoria Cup at Kitante. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Another Ugandan youngster Elton Thembo also impressed and was 4up by the end of the first nine against Beiju Krisch but could not hold on to the lead and eventually lost 3&2 just like Reagan Akena and John Musiimenta who fell at the 18th hole to Josphat Rono and Ebill Omolo; 1UP respectively.

In the sixth match, Ibrahim Ssemakula led 2up in the first nine which he maintained to beat Danny Chelogoi 2&1 while Andrew Ssekibejja who led 3up after the first nine against Kenya captain Dennis Maara was solid enough to eventually win 1UP. Titus Okwong also built an early lead and was 4up crossing to the back nine but was closely challenged by Elvis Muigua who he beat 2&1.

Jopseph Cwinya-ai of Uganda celebrates after winning his singles match in the fourth round. He won all his matches in the competition. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Joseph Kasozi who was pitted against Kenya’s number one Michael Kalanga trailed by two holes teeing off the 15th but won the 15th and 16th and was unfortunate to miss a birdie putt on the 17th where the game ended with Kalanga winning 2&1.

Coach Flavia Namakula called it a learning process for his young team who she was proud of.

“The problem in Uganda is we don’t have so many match-play events, so there is a need to start them where all these boys can come and compete against each other and I believe we can do better next time. We only assembled them for a short time but they have performed to their best,” Namakula said.

“I believe we are winners the fact that our side was the youngest and we came from behind and were still fighting. They even knew that it was tight for them and they were just praying all the time. They know we were so close and it is just a matter of us revising what we didn’t do well; we just have to keep training and trust what we have­ and soon we’ll best them,” Bagalana added.

Kasozi noted that the team played well despite the few disappointments said and called for more preparations next time while Maara said it was a great experience in the prestigious competition that continues to grow.

“We are happy that we retained the cup, we came confident, seeing how we won it last time but weren’t complacent. We must commend our opponents who brought the fight to us and we had to dig deep. We thank the organisers, we would have been more happier if it was an outright win but it is worthy of the tournament,” Maara stated.

Kenya has now won the cup five times while Uganda has lifted it once in 2019.