Reigning Uganda Open champion Joseph Reagan Akena is set to test his mettle on the global stage after earning an invitation to the US Amateur Championship qualifiers, which will be held at PB Dye Golf Club in Washington from July 17 to 19, 2025.
The 20-year-old, currently ranked among the top 500 amateur golfers worldwide, secured his spot on merit and is now preparing for what he calls a “dream and honour” opportunity.
Speaking after collecting his visa from the US embassy on Monday, Akena said, “My golf journey continues to unravel in many unique, interesting ways and I hope that I can learn one or two things when competing against some of the best golfers in the world golf capital that is America.”
Akena, who plays out of Lugazi, has enjoyed a breakout year.
He was a key part of Uganda’s national team that beat Kenya at the Victoria Cup in March and dominated the local circuit with a string of wins in the Kakira Open, Jinja Open, Lugazi Centenary, Mbale Open, Kilelesi event, and the Godfrey Nsubuga Invitational.
His biggest moment came with his victory at the Uganda Open, which cemented his status as the country’s top amateur golfer.
Despite his excitement for the US tournament, Akena admitted he’s a bit disappointed to miss next month’s Pearl of Africa Golf Series in Lugazi.
“I would have loved to play in the POA event,” he said. “But in life, you can’t have your cake and eat it. I will miss POA. But I will be around to the Open.”
He credited his rise to the support of the R&A High Performance Programme and the Uganda Golf Union.
With this backing and his game still on an upward curve, Akena is tipped as the favourite to retain his Uganda Open crown later in the year, especially since it will be played on the course where he first learned the game.
Akena won’t be Uganda’s only representative at the US Amateur qualifiers. The man he succeeded as Uganda Open champion, Godfrey Nsubuga, will also be in action in the US, teeing off from July 14 to 17.
