Dear Golfers, Distinguished Guests, Sponsors, Partners, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Officials, Members of the Media, Golf Enthusiasts, and the People of Uganda,

On behalf of the Uganda Golf Union, it is my great honour and privilege to welcome you to the Uganda Open Golf Championship 2026, proudly hosted by the Uganda Golf Club from 13th August to 5th September 2026.

The Uganda Open is one of Africa’s oldest and most prestigious golf championships, with a proud history of showcasing excellence, sportsmanship, and the enduring spirit of the game. Over the years, it has become more than a competition; it is a celebration of friendship, unity, and the remarkable growth of golf in Uganda and across the East African region.

We are delighted to welcome golfers and visitors from Uganda, across Africa, and beyond. Your presence enriches this championship and strengthens the bonds within the international golfing community. We hope you enjoy not only world-class competition but also the warmth, hospitality, and natural beauty that have earned Uganda its reputation as the Pearl of Africa.

Uganda continues to strengthen its position as one of East Africa’s leading golfing destinations through quality championship courses, year-round playing conditions, and a growing calendar of regional and international tournaments. The Uganda Open stands at the heart of this progress, reflecting our commitment to excellence and to promoting sports tourism while inspiring the next generation of golfers.

This year’s championship is especially significant as it culminates in the Uganda Junior Open Championship, reaffirming our commitment to developing young talent and securing a bright future for the game. We are confident that today’s junior golfers will become tomorrow’s champions and ambassadors for Uganda on the global stage.

I extend my sincere appreciation to our sponsors, government ministries and agencies, Uganda Golf Club, tournament officials, volunteers, partners, and the media for their unwavering support in making this championship possible.

To our players, I wish you every success as you compete with integrity and sportsmanship. To our spectators and guests, thank you for being part of this celebration of golf and for contributing to the vibrant atmosphere that makes the Uganda Open truly special.

As we write another memorable chapter in the history of the Uganda Open Golf Championships, let us continue working together to grow the game and strengthen Uganda’s place among Africa’s premier golfing nations.

I wish you all an enjoyable, successful, and unforgettable championship.

Welcome to the Uganda Open Golf Championships 2026, where tradition inspires excellence and the future of Ugandan golf is celebrated. Yours in Golf, Jackson Were. President, Uganda Golf Union

Dear Golfers, Corporate Partners, and Friends, It is with immense pride, excitement, and a profound sense of purpose that I welcome you all to the Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship 2026. Year after year, this championship stands as the undisputed pinnacle of sporting excellence and camaraderie on the East African sports calendar—a true festival where elite professionals, emerging local stars, and passionate amateurs push the limits of their game.   As we gather this year, our focus extends far beyond the sleek fairways, the precision of a perfect swing, or the celebration of eagles and birdies. While the technical team has meticulously prepared the course to ensure a championship layout that offers a unique and unforgettable test of golf, the true legacy of the 2026 Open will be measured by our vision off the course. Golf has always possessed a unique power to shape lives, build nations, and serve as an avenue for social innovation. This year, we are putting that power into full swing. Driving Decentralization: We are at a historic turning point for the sport in our country. Moving past the long-standing misconception of golf as an exclusive, restricted enclave, the Uganda Golf Union is executing a bold national expansion strategy. We are now officially mandated as a federation to establish and drive active golf participation across at least 75% of the country.   This mandate is not a mere compliance metric; it is a moral blueprint for our growth. Our primary objective is to break down the traditional barriers of access to this beautiful game. We are actively taking golf out of its traditional epicenters and introducing it directly to underserved, underrepresented, and underprivileged communities across Uganda.   We firmly believe that talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not. By establishing grass-root development programs, accessible public clinics, and junior talent pathways in every region, we are ensuring that a child from any background can pick up a club, learn the core values of discipline and resilience that golf instills, and rewrite their future.   Achieving a national transformation of this scale cannot be done by the Union alone. It requires a collective, nationwide effort.

• To our Golfers: I call upon you to look at your home clubs not just as recreational sanctuaries, but as hubs for mentorship and inclusivity. Support our club equipment drives, volunteer your time to mentor raw talent, and help us pass the traditions of this game to the next generation.
• To our Corporate Partners: Your investment fuels more than tournament logistics; it builds national social cohesion. By backing our development agenda, you are directly investing in youth empowerment, regional sports infrastructure, and alternative avenues for economic growth.

Let us join hands to ensure that golf truly belongs to every corner of Uganda.

Acknowledgments and Best Wishes

My heartfelt appreciation goes out to our incredible anchor sponsor, Uganda Breweries Limited through their iconic Johnnie Walker brand, alongside our steadfast partners including Absa Bank, MTN Uganda, NBS Sport, the National Council of Sports, and all our service providers. Your unwavering support continues to enable the Uganda Open to flourish and reach higher frontiers every year.

To all the competitors flying in from across Africa and beyond: play the game with honor, embrace the spirit of the game, and may the best men and women win. To our fans and guests: welcome to the hospitality village at our host club, and thank you for being the heartbeat of this championship.

Let this year’s Open be remembered not just for the champions crowned on the final day, but for the corners of the country we unlocked together.

Eng. Paul Charles Rukundo
Tournament Director,
Uganda Open Golf Championship 2026
Vice President, Uganda Golf Union