Uganda eager to defend the Victoria Cup against Kenya in Entebbe
Tusiime noted that Uganda's bid to host the Victoria Cup 2026 is great, not only for our country but also for the broader East African golfing community.
NCS General Secretary Bernard Ogwel (seated-3rd right), UGU president Jackson Were (seated 3rd left) and NCS Assistang general secretary-techinical Milton Chebet (seated-left), MTN MOMO's John Isabirye (seated -2nd left) and NCBA Bank's Edgar Tusiime (2nd right) and team manager Paul Habyarimana (right) pose with the national golf team members ahead of the Victoria Cup. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
The Uganda national golf team is ready to defend the Victoria Cup against Kenya in the eighth edition of the two-nation championship at Entebbe Club, March 5-7.
Uganda won their second title last year since 2019, beating Kenya on their own turf at the Mt. Kipipiri Golf Resort in Naivasha by 14.5-11.5 points, and are now ready to claim their third title following weeks of preparations for the event at the host venue.
John Musiimenta will captain the side, which is joined by Andrew Ssekibejja and Godfrey Kambale as new players, alongside Amon Bwambale, Abdallah Kakooza, Joseph Reagan Akena, Abdu Kakeeto, Elton Thembo, Joseph Kasozi, and Peter Mayende.
Before the event, the team, led by the Uganda Golf Union president, made a stopover at the National Council of Sports (NCS) general secretary to get their blessing, and it is from there that the NCS general secretary, Bernard Ogwel, implored the team to work hard and use home advantage to win their third title.
“I already have confidence that this team is not only smart, but they are really positioning themselves for the best. So, I want to thank you and the federation for ensuring that our national team are well presented,” Ogwel, who was flanked by the UGU president Jackson Were, Edgar Tusiime, the head of marketing NCBA Bank, and MTN MOMO Corporate Account Manager John Isabirye, said. He advised the players to take advantage of the benefits that come with engagement in the sport, which should inspire them to do much more.
“I want to challenge the Uganda Golf Union at this point to quickly rise to the occasion and give us their strategic direction. We want to talk big for golf as a country.”
He challenged the UGU to come up with a clear agenda so that the government can support the redevelopment of upcountry courses to aid in the spread of the sport countrywide.
NCBA, who chipped in with sh10m, is the lead sponsor of this year’s edition in conjunction with NCS, Prudential Insurance, MTN MOMO, and Aquafina, and Pepsi will provide all the refreshments for all across the competition.
“Our services are mainly to help the self-sustainability of the sport. So, we are here to commit to our partnership with golf, to see that it grows, and we are here for the long term,” Isabirye said.
Tusiime noted that Uganda's bid to host the Victoria Cup 2026 is great, not only for our country but also for the broader East African golfing community.
“Hosting this tournament highlights the growth of golf in Uganda, the professionalism of our institutions, and to that I really commend the Golf Union President and National Council of Sports, and our ability to deliver events that meet international standards. It reflects years of strategic investment in infrastructure, development, and administration, and our competitive exposure,” Tusiime stated.
Team coach Flavia Namakula said he was confident of his side to defend the title. “We have a strong team that is ready to defend the title, and we are not scared of our opponents.”
The tournament started in 2016, with Kenya winning the first three editions. Uganda then won the tournament on home soil, and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic frustrated the 2020 and 2021 editions. Kenya now leads 5-2 in the series of the annual two-nation championship.