Uganda’s junior golf development system is increasingly producing athletes competing on the international stage, following the conclusion of Season Six of the NCBA Junior Golf Series at Uganda Golf Club over the weekend.
The season finale, held on June 7, brought together some of the country’s top junior golfers, marking the end of a competitive season that highlighted the steady growth of structured junior golf development in Uganda.
NCBA Bank Uganda says its sponsorship programme is aimed at addressing financial barriers that prevent talented young golfers from fully participating in the sport.
“The NCBA Junior Golf Series continues to demonstrate the transformative role of sport in shaping discipline, resilience and opportunity among young people,” said Edgar B. Tusiime, Head of Marketing, Communications and Citizenship at NCBA Bank Uganda.
“Our focus remains on building sustainable pathways that enable young Ugandans to realise their full potential, both on and off the course.”
Since its launch in 2024, the NCBA Junior Golf Series has grown into a key platform for nurturing players aged between six and 18 years, offering structured competition, mentorship, and exposure through the U.S. Kids Golf Uganda Local Tour, which now supports more than 200 junior golfers across the country.
Coach Les Brown of the U.S. Kids Golf Uganda Local Tour said the structured system is beginning to yield measurable results.
“The NCBA Junior Golf Series has introduced consistency and structure into junior golf development in Uganda. We are seeing more young players not only enter the sport but remain engaged and competitive,” Brown said.
The programme has also expanded its support system for young athletes through sponsorships targeting less-privileged players. To date, 31 junior golfers have benefited from the initiative, with seven progressing to Uganda’s national team.
Several of the sponsored players have gone on to represent Uganda in international tournaments held in South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates, contributing to the country’s growing presence in junior golf.
Among them are Peter Mayende, who competed in the UAE Golf Championship, and Daniel Kawalya, who featured at the All Africa Junior Championships.
At the 2026 Victoria Cup, Uganda finished second behind Kenya, although some players, including Mayende, recorded strong individual performances, with his team going unbeaten throughout the tournament.
Despite progress, stakeholders say access to golf remains a challenge due to the high cost of equipment, training and travel, limiting participation among talented players from less privileged backgrounds.
Through its partnership with U.S. Kids Golf, the programme provides pathways for top-performing juniors to compete in international tournaments, including the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, the Rome Classic and the Big 5 Junior Golf Championship.
As Season Six concludes, stakeholders say the focus is now on expanding access and strengthening pathways to ensure more young Ugandan golfers can transition from grassroots participation to international competition.
