Pro golfer Kibirige heads to India’s Q-School in Ahmedabad

Ugandan golfer Marvin Kibirige has traveled to India, hoping to qualify for major tournaments through the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) Qualifying School.

Fueled by Equity Bank’s $2000 (sh7.2m) contribution for his travel expenses, Mary Louise Simkins Memorial Golf Course club’s professional Kibirige will navigate his dream through three pre-qualifying stages (36 holes for each stage) at the Kensville Golf & Country Club, Ahmedabad, starting January 16. The Q-School will be conducted in two stages of stroke play, with three 36-hole rounds on January 17-18, 20-21, and 23-24. 

His Indian outing marks a pivotal moment not just in one player’s career but in the broader journey of Ugandan golf onto the global stage in the high-stakes qualifying event that serves as a gateway to some of the world’s most competitive professional tours. This is the second time Kibirige is venturing into international tour events, having tried his luck earlier in several Sunshine Tour events in Zimbabwe. 

The Qualifying School is where careers are either launched or delayed. Perform well, and a player earns status on major regional and global tours, unlocking regular competition, world ranking points, and sustainable professional income. With competitions in Uganda few and far between, this pathway is transformative.

Speaking during the handover, the Head of Marketing and Communications at Equity Bank, Clare Tumwesigye, noted that the bank sees Kibirige’s journey as mirroring its own mission.

“As a bank, our promise is to transform lives, and we are doing this with Kibirige,” she said. “He has a dream of playing at the top golf events in the world, and we want to journey with him in achieving this dream.”

For Kibirige, who grew up on the Namulonge Golf Course, the moment carried deep personal meaning. A former caddie who learned the game by watching others play, he has risen through sheer persistence, self-teaching his swing when coaching was unavailable and earning a permanent place on Uganda’s national team in 2018.

Ranked highly locally among professionals, Kibirige has tasted international competition but has often been limited by the high cost of travel. The Equity Bank support removes a critical barrier, allowing him to compete on merit rather than means. “This is a dream come true,” Kibirige said. “Q-School gives hope to local players. It shows that with hard work and the right support, a Ugandan golfer can compete anywhere.” Kibirige said. 

Beyond the cash, Equity Bank also provided logistical support and equipment, reinforcing a partnership built on belief. In doing so, the bank has positioned itself as a catalyst for the growth of Ugandan golf.

As Kibirige prepares for India, he carries more than clubs and ambition. He carries the expectations of a sport eager for global relevance and proof that with the right partner, Ugandan talent can step confidently onto the world’s fairways.