Uganda’s boys made a steady start at the All Africa Junior Team Championship in Windsor Golf & Country Club, returning an aggregate score of 230 after the opening round played on Tuesday morning.
Antony Otukei led the team with a one-over 73, while Peter Mayende and Shaka Kariisa carded 78 and 79 respectively to keep Uganda in contention early in the tournament. The result leaves the boys’ team in fourth place heading into day two.
Kariisa admitted he faded late in his round but remains optimistic of improvement. “I struggled towards the end,” he said. “For the second day, I will strive to maintain my stamina and stay focused all through. It is a tight course but playable.”
The championship carries added stakes, with the top two teams earning qualification for the 2026 Toyota Junior World Cup in Tokyo later this year. South Africa have already set the early pace in both the boys’ and girls’ categories with dominant opening rounds, while Kenya sit second in both divisions.
Uganda’s girls are currently sixth after Racheal Natukunda and Keisha Kagoro returned scores of 83 and 84 respectively, leaving the team 27 strokes off the lead.
Team manager Paul Habyarimana remains confident Uganda can close the gap. “We have spoken and they all know what to do,” he said.
Play was briefly affected by light morning showers, a pattern expected to continue into Wednesday’s second round. However, with players accustomed to varying conditions, teams are expected to adjust as the competition progresses.
