The Uganda Golf Union (UGU) has opted to field four Uganda’s US-based golfers to try and wrestle the All-Africa Amateur Golf Championship from South Africa.

The championship tees off on Tuesday, September 27 in Hurgada, at the El Gouna Golf Club in Egypt. The four-man team is led by three-time Uganda Open winner Ronald Otile, who will vie for the championship alongside Titus Okwong, Collins Ajidra, and Emmanuel Jakisa; who are all attached and playing college golf with the Livingstone College in the US.

The team landed in Cairo on Saturday, one day ahead of the official arrival date to acclimatize. The president of the UGU, Moses Matsiko, and national team coach Flavia Namakula joined the team on Sunday night.

Matsiko believes the exposure the Ugandan boys have gained over the past three years will be key in propelling Uganda to the top.

“We are confident that these talented young men who have gained a lot of exposure in the US will rise to the occasion and compete favourably with South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and host Egypt who are fielding strong teams,” Matsiko stated.

Otile in particular will be called on to evoke the 2015 memories which saw him put up incredible displays in the Uganda Open and Africa Championships. Otile teamed up with Adolf Muhumuza as, against all odds, won a game against South Africa, in the four-balls to help Uganda beat South Africa to the Zone V1 Championship that year.

Otile also won both the main amateur and professional categories that year, spicing up his victories by also taking the longest drive prize on the 18th fairway. At 20 years then, Otile later came two strokes short of winning the individual accolade at the Africa Amateur Golf Championship at Limuru Golf and Country Club in Nairobi. Uganda finished fifth overall.

Uganda will be up against golfers from 15 other countries, in the 72-hole stroke-play championship, where the best three scores per round count.

Uganda last competed in the 2018 edition where they were good for fourth place at the Mont Choisy Le Golf course in Port Louis, Mauritius.