State dinner for winning Team Ug

Team manager Oscar Semawere, Ronald Bukenya, coach Amos Kamya, Happy Robert, Ronald Otile, Martin Ochaya, captain Adolf Muhumuza, Henry Luggya, Lawrence Muhenda, Gideon Kagyenzi, Robert Oluba and UGU president Kiryowa Kiwanuka with the two Zone VI trophies. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO

KAMPALA. There was a standing ovation as Team Uganda sauntered into the 19th hole of Uganda Golf Club (UGC) and the evening was pretty much about the hosts as a loud cheer followed each mention of the country and its players. Uganda (18.5) had pulled off a rare feat by defeating South Africa by one point to win their maiden Africa Zone VI Golf Championship title at the par-72 UGC Kitante course.
But as the golfing fraternity continued to salute the achievement, the heroes of the moment were hoping that they would get to hear more than ‘Thank Yous’. Last year when the team won its fourth East Africa Challenge Trophy title, they were promised to meet President Yoweri Museveni.
But that didn’t happen. And in the build-up to the just concluded Zone VI event, the players were looking forward to shaking the President’s hand after it was mentioned at the launch that he would officially tee off the continent’s premier amateur golfing showpiece.

Again there was a no-show from the nation’s number one citizen. But this time round he was ably represented by Prime Minister Hon Ruhakana Rugunda, who read out a letter from President Museveni addressed to Team Uganda captain Adolf Muhumuza.
In the letter, the country’s leader challenged the team to embrace challenge put before them and aim for victory. “That letter was great inspiration to this victory,” Uganda Golf Union (UGU) president Kiryowa Kiwanuka disclosed to Daily Monitor.

High level of competence
And looks like the team’s prayers of meeting the President will finally be answered after he learnt of their victory.
“It’s with great pleasure that I received the news of your victory in this tournament. I was confident that you would win the event. You displayed a high level of competence. On my own behalf, I wish to most heartily congratulate you on this victory. You have made your motherland Uganda proud. I have instructed my office to organise a state dinner at the soonest,” wrote President Museveni in a statement read by Kiwanuka at the closing ceremony.
The players will now not only get to shake the President’s hand but maybe whisper something to him after Kiwanuka confirmed the dinner is on this week and he was only ‘awaiting one call’.
Swaziland were announced and confirmed as hosts of the 22nd edition of the Africa Zone VI Golf Championship next year.

LAST FIVE WINNERS
2015: Uganda
2014: South Africa
2013: South Africa
2012: Kenya
2011: South Africa
TEAM UGANDA HONOURS ROLL
2001: East Africa Challenge champions:
2009: East Africa Challenge champions
2010: East Africa Challenge champions
2014: East Africa Challenge champions
2015: Africa Zone VI Golf champions