Uganda recovers to brighten hopes of defending the Victoria Cup

Uganda recovered in the afternoon foursomes, winning three games to one to revive slim hopes of defending the Victoria Cup golf trophy after trailing early on 9.5-2.5, on the second day of action, in the 8th edition championship at Entebbe Club on Friday.

After Thursday’s action involving the foursomes and fourballs, Uganda trailed Kenya 6-2 after they managed only one win and two draws, amounting to two points against their opponents’ six wins in the two formats.

The Kenyans would stretch their lead to 9.5-2.5 after the third round of foursomes on Friday morning, but the Ugandans regrouped in the afternoon fourballs, winning three games and squaring off one to move to 5.5 points against Kenya’s 10.5, going into the last round of the singles matches on Saturday.

Uganda's Joseph Akena toasts his putter after missing a birdie chip on hole-6 during the Victoria Cup action at Entebbe Club, March 6, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Friday’s opening game saw Elton Thembo/Amon Bwambale fall to Elvis Muigua/Junaid Manji 5&3, before John Musiimenta/Abdu Kakeeto also fell to Elvis Muigua/Junaid Manji, 2&1.

It was only the pairing of Andrew Ssekibejja/Godfrey Kambale who managed a half point against Tsevi Soni/Yuvraj Rajput, before Reagan Akena/Peter Mayende also won 3&1 against Kevin Anyien/John Lejrimah.

But the Ugandans, supported by a passionate gallery of fans, fought hard in the afternoon fourballs to claim another three and a half points. Thembo/Amon Bwambale beat Elvis Muigai/Yuvraj Rajput 2&1, their game ending on the 17th hole, while Joseph Kasozi/Andrew Ssekibejja defeated Daniel Kiragu/Krish Shah, 3&2, as Abdallah Kakooza/Abdu Kakeeto edged John Lejrimah/Mwathi Gicheru 1UP on the 18th hole.

Yuvraj Rajput (left) celebrates his eagle chip on hole 13 with Tsevi Soni, March 6, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The match of the day was probably the clash between Reagan Akena/Peter Mayende versus Junaid Manji/Tsevi Soni, which went wire to wire until hole 13, where Manji chipped in for eagle, hardly giving the Ugandans a chance to respond after they played their tee shots to the right of the fairway.

Manji, who was just at the apron, chipped in his second shot to win the hole and go 1up. Before that, there was nothing to separate the pairs as they continued to square each hole. The Kenyan would then score a birdie on 15 to extend their lead, which they clung to win the match.

Despite Uganda’s resurgence, Kenya team coach Ali Khimji believes his charges will return home with the trophy. “I know tomorrow they are going to come out and do the same thing, and we are going to take this trophy back to Kenya,” Khimji said. “But it's been fantastic. The hospitality of the Ugandan Golf Union has been fantastic. Today, in the afternoon, the crowd showed up and was fantastic. It just made the tournament a lot of fun. “The boys love it here, and they love the atmosphere. And overall, it's just been very good. I'm very impressed with the way both teams have played.

Uganda\s Abdu Kakeeto celebrates one of Uganda's wins in the foursomes with Abdullah Kakooza during the Victoria Cup action at Entebbe Club, March 6, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“The first three sessions, my boys played exceptionally well, and the Ugandans played very well. And as we saw in the afternoon, today the Ugandans finally got some putts to drop, and they played fantastically. So well done to them,”

“But yeah, we'll definitely win it.  I have no doubt. My boys, we mentally prepared for the crowds, and we're going to come out tomorrow and give it our best and swing,” Khimji stated. Uganda captain Musiimenta is also hoping for the best for his side in what he described as a very competitive event. “It has been a learning experience for me, in terms of how to manage a team, how to psych them up, and how to give them morale to play the next day. Now that we have at least scored sufficient points, I believe that we have good momentum going forward. May the best team win,” Musiimenta stated.