Parliament moots golf league to strengthen their team

In a bid to strengthen their golf team for the annual East African Parliamentary Games, the Parliament of Uganda golf team has initiated a series of tournaments that will culminate in a ‘corporate league’ for golf.

These tournaments are meant to help the team prepare for the East African Parliamentary Games and introduce golf to new members of the 12th parliament. Uganda regularly competes in several sports at these games, including golf.

The first tournament took place at Entebbe Club on Martyrs Day, featuring a match between the Parliament team and Equity Bank. After the one-day event, Team Equity, led by Damalie Balungi, won with 275 points, while the Parliament team, captained by Dickson Kateshumbwa, scored 240. Each team’s score was based on its best eight players.

The Managing director of Equity Bank Uganda Gift Shoko (left) presents a gift to Uganda Parliament Golf Team's Sylivia Nayebare after the tournament at Entebbe Club, June 3, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The best individuals were Collin Byamukama (Equity) and Sylivia Nayebare (Parliament), who returned 43 and 47 points in the men's and ladies’ categories, respectively. Byamukama notched two birdies on the par-3 hole 2 and on the par-4 hole 13 to ensure he walked away as the overall winner. “I have been training regularly this year; that is why my game was fine today. 

This is my second time playing a tournament in Entebbe. The course was good; I avoided going into the trees, but even when I did once on the 14th fairway, I got out well,” Byamukama, who played off index 27.2, said. He wants to be playing in Group B of the handicap 10-18 by the end of the year. Equity’s top players were Byamukama (43), Balungi (45pts), Claire Nesige (42), David Mugerwa (39), Peter Ssekyanzi (37), Henry Rugamba (35), Ivan Kaweesi (34), and Afurah Arinda (31). Parliament was led by Nayebale (47pts), with David Gonyi (34), Kateshumbwa (34), Sarah Kityo Babirye (27), Victor Kalenzi (26), JB Tumusiime (25), and Jim Muhwezi (19) adding to their score.

“We have had a good game of golf in Entebbe, and I think that we can do more for the game of golf. If we especially link golf to tourism, we can attract many people.  But also getting more corporates involved,” Kateshumbwa said.

“The sport is good for networking. It's good for social aspects.  But above all, it's good for health because you can exercise.”

“We have been very competitive in the East African Parliamentary Games in the last five years. And as captains, we are now trying to see how we can increase competition within the country, especially among corporates.  So, the corporate league we are trying to put together will involve the different companies that have golf players.  And so, we've started with Equity Bank," Kateshumbwa stated. He said more engagements are lined up against MTN, UPDF, UCAA, Stanbic, and many others for the same reason.

Equity’s Executive Director, Claver Serumaga, noted that they are behind many iconic tournaments in the country and are proud to see golf growing in Uganda. “We are partners with many of the parliamentarians and support them in their personal businesses. But we also want to make sure we can transform their lives just beyond the Parliament and also transform their communities, where they come from,” Serumaga said.

“The corporate league idea, and I think for Parliament to come out and lead that conversation, is good. Because not only does it bring many policymakers together, but I also think it will keep corporates fit.  I think we've not seen a very structured corporate golf tournament before, so it will probably be one of the first ones, and I'm looking forward to that one.”

Results

Equity team 275pts

Parliament 240

Overall winners

Collin Byamukama 43 pts

Sylivia Nayebare 47pts

Longest driver

Claver Serumaga

Justine Kalembe

Nearest to the pin

Damalie Balungi