The 2026 NCBA Uganda Junior Golf Series has teed off with a renewed push to identify and nurture Uganda’s next generation of golf champions, while opening more opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to compete at national and international level.
The opening event was held at Uganda Golf Club on August 23, bringing together young golfers aged between six and 18 in both the boys’ and girls’ categories. The series, which has become a fixture on Uganda’s junior sports calendar, combines competitive golf with coaching, training and exposure to international tournaments.
This year’s edition will feature 18 tournaments running from August 2026 to June 2027, with competitions scheduled at Uganda Golf Club, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, Entebbe Club and Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club.
For NCBA Uganda, the programme is not only about producing better golfers but also creating a pathway for children who have talent but lack the financial resources to develop it.
Speaking at the launch, NCBA Bank Uganda Head of Marketing, Communications and Citizenship Edgar Tusiime said the bank had so far sponsored 31 junior golfers from disadvantaged backgrounds, covering their season fees, meals and coaching.
“There are clubs with a lot of talent and very talented kids, but some of them have not been able to join and be part of the Series because they have not had the opportunity or resources to do so. NCBA has taken these young golfers on and offered them full sponsorship, covering their meals, season fees and coaching,” Tusiime said.
The investment, he said, is already producing results, with seven of the 31 sponsored golfers going on to join the national team.
“We have seen tremendous results coming from this support. Out of the 31 juniors who have been sponsored, seven have gone on to join the national team. That gives us great pride because it shows that this investment is really paying off,” he said.
The series has also emerged as an important pathway for Ugandan juniors seeking to compete beyond the country. Through the U.S. Kids Golf rankings, participants can gain exposure and opportunities to qualify for international competitions, including the Rome Classic in Italy and the Big 5 Junior Golf Championship in South Africa.
Several golfers who have come through the series have already represented Uganda in competitions within and outside the region, including the Kenya Invitational Golf Championship. Such appearances give the young players valuable competitive experience while improving their international rankings and exposure.
For some of the youngsters, the programme therefore offers more than a chance to win trophies. It provides access to professional coaching, competition and networks that could shape their future careers in the sport.
Theo Van Rooyen, Director of U.S. Kids Golf in Uganda, said the series had grown into an important platform for talent identification and personal development.
“The NCBA Junior Golf Series has firmly established itself as a pillar of Uganda’s sporting calendar. It has done more than just introduce young people to the game, it has nurtured a deep and lasting love for golf among the next generation,” Van Rooyen said.
He said the structured competitions were helping young golfers improve their skills while giving them an opportunity to interact with mentors and other stakeholders in sport and business.
The expansion of junior golf comes at a time when Ugandan sports stakeholders are increasingly looking beyond traditional disciplines to identify young talent and create pathways to international competition. For golf, developing players from an early age is considered important because technical skills, discipline and competitive experience are built over time.
The inclusion of children from less privileged backgrounds is also intended to ensure that financial limitations do not prevent talented players from progressing.
Tusiime said the bank would continue supporting the young golfers because of the results already being achieved through the programme.
With 18 tournaments planned over the next 10 months, the 2026/27 series will give Uganda’s junior golfers an extended competitive calendar and more opportunities to measure their progress against their peers.
Beyond the greens, organisers hope the programme will produce young people with confidence, resilience and discipline, while creating a sustainable pipeline of golfers capable of representing Uganda on the international stage.
