Uganda has officially launched the 2026 Victoria Cup, with NCBA Bank Uganda reaffirming its commitment to the growth of golf and youth talent development as the tournament’s main sponsor.
The tournament launch was held today at the National Council of Sports Headquarters Lugogo, bringing together officials from the Uganda Golf Union, representatives of the Kenya Golf Union, tournament partners, sponsors, media, and members of the golfing fraternity.
The 2026 Victoria Cup will take place at the Entebbe Club, where Uganda will host Kenya in one of East Africa’s most prestigious amateur golf competitions.
The three-day tournament, running through March 7, will feature the demanding match-play formats of Foursomes, Four-balls, and Singles, requiring teamwork, strategy, and composure from the region’s finest amateur golfers.
The Victoria Cup remains the only cross-border amateur golf competition within the East African Community, serving not only as a sporting contest but also as a platform for regional cooperation, sports diplomacy, and cultural exchange between Uganda and Kenya.
Uganda enters the tournament as defending champions following a historic 14.5–11.5 victory over Kenya in Naivasha in 2025, a triumph widely celebrated as a defining moment for Ugandan golf.
The victory demonstrated the team’s discipline, unity, and mental resilience — qualities the squad will aim to replicate as they seek to defend the trophy on home soil.
Speaking during the launch, Edgar B. Tusiime, Head of Marketing, Communications and Citizenship at NCBA Bank Uganda, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting golf development and nurturing the next generation of sporting talent.
“The Victoria Cup represents the pinnacle of amateur golf competition between Uganda and Kenya. As NCBA Bank Uganda, we are proud to support Team Uganda as they defend their title on home soil. Our commitment to golf goes beyond sponsorship — it is about nurturing talent, creating opportunities for young golfers, and strengthening the sporting ecosystem in Uganda and the region,” Tusiime said.
He noted that NCBA’s investment in golf is anchored in a broader strategy to support youth development through sport and international exposure.
“Through platforms such as the NCBA Junior Golf Series, we are enabling young Ugandan golfers to gain international exposure and compete in global tournaments, which prepares them for the demands of elite competition,” he added.
The Ugandan national team will be led by standout amateur golfer Joseph Reagan Akena, alongside a strong squad featuring Anthony Otukei, Joseph Kasozi, Godfrey Kambale, Andrew Ssekibejja, Elton Thembo, John Musimenta, Abdul Kakeeto, Peter Mayende, and Amon Bwambale.
The team will be guided by head coach Flavia Namakula, whose leadership was instrumental in Uganda’s historic victory in the previous edition of the tournament.
Also speaking at the launch, Bernard Patrick Ogwel, General Secretary of the National Council of Sports Uganda, reaffirmed government’s continued commitment to supporting sport and building platforms that nurture national talent.
“Government remains committed to supporting sport as a vehicle for national development, unity, and youth empowerment. Tournaments like the Victoria Cup demonstrate Uganda’s capacity to host international competitions while also creating opportunities for our athletes to compete at the highest level,” Ogwel said.
He commended partners and sponsors for their role in strengthening Uganda’s sports ecosystem and enabling national teams to compete regionally and globally.
Meanwhile, Jackson Were, President of the Uganda Golf Union, praised the continued collaboration between the federation and private sector partners.
“The growth of golf in Uganda is a result of strong partnerships between the federation, government, and corporate partners. We are grateful to organisations like NCBA Bank Uganda for their continued investment in the sport and their commitment to developing both junior and elite golf in the country,” Were said.
Beyond supporting the senior national team, NCBA Bank Uganda has also invested significantly in youth golf development through the NCBA Junior Golf Series. The initiative provides young golfers with opportunities to compete internationally, including tournaments such as the UAE Golf Championship, the Rome Classic, and the Big 5 Junior Golf Championship.
The 2026 Victoria Cup is organized by the Uganda Golf Union with support from several partners including MTN MoMo Uganda, Prudential Uganda, Crown Beverages Limited — makers of Aquafina — the National Council of Sports, and The R&A, the world governing body for golf.
With Uganda hosting the tournament and entering as defending champions, anticipation is high for what promises to be a thrilling contest between the region’s best amateur golfers.
As the tournament gets underway at Entebbe Club, Uganda will look to leverage home advantage, strong institutional support, and the momentum of last year’s victory as it seeks to retain the Victoria Cup and further cement its growing legacy in East African golf.
