NCBA Bank Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to developing junior golf and nurturing young sporting talent as it concluded another season of the NCBA Junior Golf Series, a programme designed to provide young golfers with structured opportunities to develop their skills, compete and grow through sport.
The season finale celebrated the achievements and progress of young golfers who have participated in the series, which continues to strengthen the development of junior golf in Uganda by bringing together boys and girls from different regions and backgrounds.
Through the initiative, NCBA is investing in the future of golf by creating a platform where young players can discover their potential, sharpen their skills and gain valuable competitive experience while developing important life values such as discipline, resilience, confidence and sportsmanship.
Speaking at the season finale, Mark Muyobo, Chief Executive Officer of NCBA Bank Uganda, said the bank remains committed to supporting initiatives that nurture young talent and create opportunities for the next generation.
“When we launched the NCBA Junior Golf Series, our ambition was to establish a structured and sustainable pathway for young golfers in Uganda to develop their talent, compete meaningfully and build character through sport. We are proud of how far the programme has come and the growing number of young people it continues to inspire.”
“At NCBA, we believe that opportunity should not be limited by geography or circumstance. Through initiatives such as this, we are supporting young people to discover their potential, access opportunities and develop the confidence to pursue their ambitions,” Muyobo said.
Over the seasons, the series has continued to attract participation from young golfers across different regions, providing them with opportunities to compete, improve their performance and gain exposure to the sport.
Since its launch in 2024, the NCBA Junior Golf Series has established itself as an important platform for developing golfers aged six to 18. The programme offers structured competition, mentorship and exposure, helping young players sharpen their skills while preparing them for higher levels of competition.
The series operates under the broader U.S. Kids Golf Uganda Local Tour, which has grown considerably in recent years and now supports more than 500 competitive junior golfers across the country.
NCBA is particularly proud of the progress made by several participants, including young golfers directly sponsored by the bank, who have gone on to excel in regional and international competitions. Their achievements demonstrate the importance of sustained investment in grassroots sports development and the value of creating pathways for emerging talent.
Muyobo acknowledged the contribution of the programme’s partners and stakeholders, particularly the US Kids Golf team, led by Theo Van Rooyen and Les Brown, which runs the series, as well as host golf clubs, coaches, parents and guardians.
“The success of this programme is a collective achievement. We appreciate the US Kids Golf team for its expertise and dedication, our host clubs for providing the facilities, the coaches for investing their time in developing these young players, and the parents and guardians for their unwavering support. Together, we are building an environment in which young golfers can thrive,” he added.
Varad Mahendra Godse, who won the Boys 10 Category, said: “I thank US Kids Golf, and NCBA for this game. And I thank Lugazi Hills and Country Club for giving me time to play at the golf course. And I thank my friends and coaches for helping me. The season was somehow hard, I had tough competition and I played good.”
Les Brown, Coach and Director of the U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour Uganda, said: “We are in, ideally, our fourth year running now. It’s been a beautiful journey. We’ve seen more than 500 juniors participate through the tournaments. And this season, particularly, we’ve had a chance to play in three different golf courses. That is Entebbe Golf Club, Lake Victoria Serena and, of course, here at Uganda Golf Club. It’s been an interesting journey,”
“We’ve had more than 80 juniors participate throughout this season. And, of course, this is not only a junior event, but it’s also a family event. So, you have a lot of family members that are coming together on Sundays, Brown added.
“We have three seasons in a year. Each season carries six tournaments in total. So, there are 18 tournaments every year. This is the largest junior programme in terms of tournaments, competitive tournaments for Uganda. The NCBA Bank team has done an incredible job at supporting this tournament for the last three years,” Brown said.
“We’ve noticed a huge impact on even how junior golf itself is taken on at the club level by the members. Because a lot of the members are impressed by the level at which the junior golfers are actually playing. We’ve also seen a transition of juniors who started from the programm and now have been picked on to play for Uganda on the national team, Brown added.
The following are the 10 junior golfers from disadvantaged backgrounds who have been sponsored through the NCBA Junior Golf Series this year:
Girls 15-18: Nanyombi Joanita
Boys 15-18: Ssekyewa Asuman
Boys 15-18: Kato Stanley Bukenya
Boys 15-18: Kamoga David
Boys 15-18: Omiki Nelson
Boys 15-18: Bwambale Gavin
Boys 15-18: Owori James
Boys 15-18: Rwothimiyo Mike
Boys 15-18: Munguditi Elvis
Boys 8: Aahil Bagalana
The NCBA Junior Golf Series forms part of the bank’s broader commitment to community development and supporting initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for young people. Through its investment in sport, the bank seeks to contribute to the development of talent, promote healthy lifestyles and inspire the next generation of leaders and champions.
As the season draws to a close, NCBA has pledged to continue supporting junior golf and expanding opportunities for young Ugandan golfers to develop their abilities and compete on regional and international stages.
Muyobo encouraged the young participants to remain disciplined, continue practising and pursue their ambitions with confidence.
“To our young golfers, keep practising, remain disciplined and never be afraid to dream big. Every competition is an opportunity to learn, every challenge is an opportunity to improve, and every step you take brings you closer to achieving your ambitions. We believe in your potential and look forward to seeing you achieve even greater success,” he said.
