Golfers celebrate Mzee Basaliza’s unwavering spirit on the course

Golfers at Tooro Club have praised Mzee Emmanuel Basaliza for his dedication to the game.

Over the years, his commitment has inspired interest in golf among club members and others outside the club.

A centennial tournament was held in Fort Portal on December 20 to honour his legacy as he turned 100. Many people praised ‘Mzee Kijana’ for the positive impact he has had on golf in the country. His family commissioned a monument near the first hole of the Tooro course, inscribed with the words 'the mark of a great player is the ability to inspire,' where his golf journey began humbly and almost by accident.

As a young boy, he would watch the whites play the game with curiosity and admiration in the 60s.  His earliest encounters with golf were not with clubs of his own, but through collecting lost balls, which he later used to practice while grazing goats. From these modest beginnings, a lifelong passion was born.

His passion for golf has inspired generations of young talent from Bukwali, many of whom have gone on to become some of the most elite golfers in the country. His legacy lives not only in records and trophies but also in people. Mzee Basaliza made three holes-in-one, an exceptional feat by any standard, and was duly recognised by St Andrews, the home of golf in Scotland. He is widely regarded as one of the oldest golfers in the world, a living testament to dedication, resilience, and a love for the sport.

The chairman of the Toro Club, Frank Kirungi, noted that Mzee Basaliza’s passion for golf reflects the values they hold dear at the Tooro Club: patience, integrity, sportsmanship, and partnership. “For you to be a good golfer, you must have those values,” he noted.

“Basaliza's participation in the game has motivated generations of golfers, young and old, and has shown us that an active life is one of the keys to longevity and fulfillment,” he said.

“The monument that we have unveiled today is more than a physical structure. It is a symbol of gratitude, recognition, and inspiration. It will stand as a permanent reminder to every member and visitor that service is remembered, character endures, and excellence has no expiry date.” Kirungi stated.

He thanked the Basaliza family for supporting him and allowing him to continue contributing actively to the club's life. He advised the youngsters to draw inspiration from the monument to live lives of purpose, discipline, and service—lives worthy of celebration and remembrance.

“Usually, monuments are erected posthumously, meaning after death.  But this one has been erected and unveiled while he is still alive and looking. Isn’t that very amazing and marvelous?  Thanks to the Almighty God for having given Apuuli the hundred years of good and healthy life in all aspects and by all standards,” Basaliza, one of his sons, said.

Gilbert Mujogya, one of the trustees of the club, who first met Basaliza in 1958, described Mzee Basaliza as a brand, an icon, and a legend. “Tooro Club would not be where it is if it were not for him.

He has contributed a lot and inspired golfers; that is why Tooro Club is the cradle of golf in the country. All the top golfers in the country, like Joseph Cwinyaai, Ronald Rugumayo, and Peace Kabasweka, come from Tooro Club, including many others currently enjoying free scholarships in the US,” he noted.

Another trustee, Professor Edward Rugumayo, 91, hailed the golfers for their tenacity, persistence, and devotion and for working hard to make the game interesting and healthy. “That this tiny 9-hole course continues to produce the best golfers in the country is commendable,” he said.

“Apuuli has shown persistence and passion and deserves to go into the Guinness Book of Records. To the youngsters, focus on one thing and do it thoroughly and very well because these are very important lessons in life. We are celebrating Apuuli’s life, legacy, and victory, having built a family of golf lovers.”

Monica Katuramu, 81, the first president of the Uganda Ladies Golf Union, said he was an inspiring gentleman. “He was among the first seniors, and he attended almost every competition in the country, wherever there was a golf course, and it was inspiring to us as youngsters then. He could give good advice and encourage us and left a legacy along the way,” Katuramu stated.