Keisha Kagoro sets sights on Uganda Open Glory
Kagoro's parents were equally elated for their daughter's feat.
Keisha Kagoro in action during a local event in Entebbe. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Following her first victory on foreign soil over the weekend, Keisha Wiltshire Kagoro could spring a surprise in the Uganda Ladies Open, which tees off at the Uganda Golf Club on Thursday.
Kagoro, a Grade 12 student at ESCA School Wanderers in South Africa, won the Botswana Ladies Open on Sunday after rounds of 72, 79, and 76, finishing at 227 and becoming the youngest Ugandan to win a major national open outside the country.
Keisha, 17, notched eight birdies over the three rounds at Phakalane Golf Estate in Gaborone to beat Ludmilla Varmuza and Loapi Chokwe, who tied for second, nine strokes away after they all carded 236 over the 54-hole competition.
This win is another big milestone for Kagoro, whose junior career is getting more attention. It also shows how Ugandan golf is improving thanks to investing in young players. She will now be hoping to carry on with the same momentum into the World Amateur Golf Ranking Uganda Open at Kitante, August 13-15.
"This still feels somewhat surreal. First and foremost, I want to extend my congratulations to everyone who took part in this event. You all pushed me to my limits, and I am confident that each of you has a bright future ahead," Kagoro said after the event.
"I must express my gratitude to the tournament committee, all the referees and rules officials, as well as the outstanding superintendent and greens staff for creating such a remarkable course for us to enjoy this week. This is a memory I will treasure forever."
"To my family, Dad and Mum, thank you for your unwavering and unconditional support of my dream. I couldn't have achieved this without your backing through every high and low," Kagoro stated.
Kagoro's parents were equally elated for their daughter's feat.
"We are incredibly proud of her and commit to continuing our support. Ultimately, her consistent practice and early morning workouts have yielded results. She has truly earned this victory, and we are excited to witness an exceptional performance at the Uganda Ladies Open 2026," Marvin Kagoro, her father and a member of Entebbe Club, said.
Uganda Golf Union president Dr. Jackson Were said Kagoro's success shows the potential of the country's junior program and highlights the importance of giving young golfers a chance to compete at the highest level.
"As Uganda Golf Union, we are very proud of Keisha's achievement. Her victory shows the growing talent and potential in Uganda's junior golf program and the positive results of supporting our young golfers," Were said.
Kagoro is one of the golfers on the High-Performance Program jointly supported by the R&A of Scotland and the Uganda Golf Union. The program is designed to identify and develop Uganda's most promising young golfers for regional, continental, and international competition.