Uganda surrender Victoria Cup to Kenya despite big fight

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Result

Uganda 10.5pts

Kenya 15.5pts

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Uganda paid dearly for their slow start in the foursomes, surrendering the Victoria Cup Golf Championship to Kenya as the eighth championship clash between the two sides ended at the Entebbe Club on March 7, 2026.

Kenya amassed 15.5 points, winning 15 matches and halving one, against Uganda’s 10.5 points to secure their sixth championship in the annual two-nation duel akin to the Ryder Cup.

Kenyan player Junaid Manji (3rd left) is joined by teammates in celebration after winning his game against Andrew Ssekibejja on the 17th hole at Entebbe Club on March 7, 2026. Kenya won on 15.5-10.5 points. (Photo by Michael Nsubuga)

After three days of fierce competition and five rounds of thrilling match play, Kenya once again walked away with the bragging rights, despite Uganda’s spirited fight, especially in the last-round singles contest.

Uganda led in all ten matches, though it was not enough, as the round ended in a stalemate with five points each.

The event, presented by NCBA Bank and supported by Prudential, MTN MoMo, NCS and Aquafina, saw Uganda trail Kenya 6–2 after Thursday’s foursomes and fourballs. Uganda managed only one win and two halves, earning two points against Kenya’s six wins in the two formats.

Kenya National Golf team captain Elvis Muigua poses with the Victoria Cup trophy after the tournament at Entebbe Club on March 7, 2026. Kenya won on 15.5-10.5 points. (Photo by Michael Nsubuga)

Kenya stretched their lead to 9.5–2.5 after the third round of foursomes on Friday morning. However, Uganda regrouped in the afternoon fourballs, winning three games and halving one to move to 5.5 points against Kenya’s 10.5 heading into the final round of singles matches on Saturday.

On Saturday, Abdullah Kakooza dispatched Krish Shah 4&2 in the first singles match after leading two up through hole nine, raising hopes among Ugandan fans in a round where the hosts needed to win eight matches to take the championship.

Youngster Peter Mayende also got the better of Kenyan captain Elvis Muigua, winning six holes against three for a 3&2 scoreline, further brightening Uganda’s chances.

However, Kenya’s John Lejrimah stopped Uganda’s Joseph Akena 2UP in the third match before Ugandan captain John Musimenta, Elton Thembo, and Godfrey Kambale secured three more wins, beating Isaac Makhoka, Yuvraj Rajput and Kevin Anyien 3&2, 1UP and 2&1, respectively.

Team Uganda pose with their medals after the Victoria Cup at Entebbe Club on March 7, 2026. Kenya won on 15.5-10.5 points. (Photo by Michael Nsubuga)

Thembo led four up through hole 11 but nearly gave away the match when complacency set in, with the determined Kenyan winning four holes on the back nine and halving two.

But it was not to be for the Ugandans as the Kenyans edged the last three games. Daniel Kiragu beat Abdu Kakeeto 1UP, Junaid Manji stopped Andrew Ssekibejja on the 17th with a 2&1 score, while Tsevi Soni, probably Kenya’s player of the tournament, defeated Joseph Kasozi 6&5.

“It's been tough, for sure. One thing I can say is that we didn't take advantage of the course. We had good preparations coming into the event, but I think we had a bit of bad luck on our side,” Namakula, the team coach, said.

“We led most of the games but always lost it on the back nine, but we have learned our lessons, and we shall improve on a number of things. It was a good fight from the boys. Because we were hosting, there was a bit of pressure on the players, expectations from the supporters and all that. But, yeah, it's been a good fight in the end,” Namakula stated.

Kenya coach Ali Khimji hailed both teams for the quality of golf they displayed, describing the event as fantastic.

“The host, Uganda, has been amazing. The quality of golf has been fantastic since the first session. Today we knew the Ugandans were going to come out with a fight, and I'm very happy we came up on top,” Khimji said.

The Kenya National Golf team celebrate with the Victoria Cup trophy after the tournament at Entebbe Club on March 7, 2026. Kenya won on 15.5-10.5 points. (Photo by Michael Nsubuga)

“I think we just made more birdies than them. Yesterday afternoon, they made a lot of birdies. Today, on the front nine, they made more birdies than we did. They were up a lot. But our boys stayed steady. We worked on this. We expected this. We knew they would not go down without a fight. We knew the crowds were going to be electric, and we prepared for this.”

Last year, Uganda beat Kenya by three and a half points, 14.5–11.5, to win the event for the second time since their previous victory in Kampala in 2019. Uganda now trail 2–6 in the two-nation series.