King Oyo IV champions grassroots golf development as Tooro Kingdom celebrates 29th coronation anniversary
Tooro Kingdom majestically celebrated the 29th Coronation Anniversary in a unique and inspiring way. King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV marked this historic occasion by championing grassroots golf development. The highlight of the celebrations was the launch of the inaugural Tooro Kingdom Inter-Clans Juniors Golf Championship, held at Toro Golf Club in Fort Portal, […] The post King Oyo IV champions grassroots golf development as Tooro Kingdom celebrates 29th coronation anniversary appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
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Tooro Kingdom majestically celebrated the 29th Coronation Anniversary in a unique and inspiring way.
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV marked this historic occasion by championing grassroots golf development.
The highlight of the celebrations was the launch of the inaugural Tooro Kingdom Inter-Clans Juniors Golf Championship, held at Toro Golf Club in Fort Portal, the capital of the Tooro Kingdom.
The Inter clans juniors golf championship had 13 clans in the finals of the inter clans juniors golf championship organized by the AFRIYEA Golf Academy in partnership with Tooro Kingdom with participants ranging from the age of 4 -18 years old competing and representing their clans.
This year, the King chose a dynamic and forward-looking approach by leading the celebrations on the golf course—a move that aimed to promote the game of golf and its potential to foster social transformation in Uganda and beyond.
Launch of the Tooro Kingdom Inter-Clans Juniors Golf Championship
The event was marked by the official launch of the Tooro Kingdom Inter-clans Juniors Golf Championship, a new grassroots initiative aimed at nurturing young talent and promoting cultural unity through sports.
The young participants, many of whom train with the AFRIYEA Golf Academy showcased their budding skills, capturing the attention and admiration of the audience.
The championship, held at Toro Golf Club, brought together children from different clans within the kingdom, offering them a platform not only to hone their golfing abilities but also to take pride in their rich cultural heritage.
The AFRIYEA Golf Academy, which is based at Toro Golf Club, has been instrumental in training these young players, helping them develop not just technical skills but also life values such as discipline, sportsmanship, and respect for nature.
A Moment of Unity: Guests and Dignitaries:
The event saw a wide range of high-profile attendees, including Honorable Alex Ruhunda, the area Member of Parliament for Fort Portal Central Division, and Mzee Basaliza, Uganda’s oldest golfer who serves as an inspiration to many in the golfing community.
Other prominent figures included Joan Else Kantu, Minister of Tourism for Tooro Kingdom, Fredrick Nyakabwa the Former Minister of Information Tooro Kingdom and many more dignitaries from both local and national spheres.
The event was sponsored by leading organizations such as MTN Uganda, Plascon, Talent Africa, AFRIYEA Golf Academy, and Tooro Kingdom, Toro Golf Club, Movit all of whom share a common goal of promoting youth development through sports.
Golf as a Catalyst for Transformation:
“As a Member of Parliament, and together with my fellow leaders, we are deeply committed to supporting sports in this region as we work towards making Fort Portal tourism and Tooro Kingdom the hubs of Sports. The incredible work being done by Afriyea Golf Academy and Toro Club aligns with this vision, and we are ready to support their efforts in nurturing young talent who will represent Tooro and Uganda on the world stage. These players will become great ambassadors of Tooro and our city as we grow our tourism sector and strive to become a smart city.” Hon. Alex Ruhunda.
Isaiah Mwesige, The Founder and CEO of AFRIYEA Golf Academy, spoke passionately about the importance of this championship. “This competition is more than just a sporting event. It’s an opportunity to drive awareness about the game of golf and create inclusive access for everyone, particularly young people. We believe that through golf, we can help the youth embrace their culture, discover potential careers in the sport, and ultimately contribute to socio-economic transformation.”
Mwesige’s vision for the Tooro Kingdom Inter-clans Juniors Golf Championship is to see it grow into a major annual event that will inspire not only the youth of Tooro but also young and adult golfers from across Uganda and East Africa.
The academy, which integrates sustainability and environmental stewardship into its training programs, has already become a beacon of hope for underprivileged children, offering them access to golf and educational opportunities.
Frank Kirungi the Chairman of Tooro Club, echoed Isaiah’s sentiments, thanking King Oyo for his leadership and commitment to promoting golf.
On behalf of the club’s executive and members, Kirungi extended an invitation to the King to become a member of Tooro Golf Club, a gesture that symbolizes the kingdom’s dedication to the sport.
Golf and Tourism: A Dual Force for Progress
Joan Else Kantu, who officially flagged emphasized the dual potential of golf and tourism in Tooro Kingdom.
“Golf is more than just a game—it’s a tool that brings communities together. We are committed to building on this relationship between golf and tourism to boost the kingdom’s visibility and potential. Importantly, we aim to create avenues for underprivileged children and communities to access and enjoy this beautiful game.”
With Tooro’s scenic landscape, rich cultural heritage, and emerging prominence in the world of golf, the region has significant potential to attract tourists from all over the world.
The kingdom is well-positioned to become a golfing destination that offers visitors an opportunity to experience both sport and culture in an authentic African setting.
King Oyo Leads by Example:
To the delight of the crowd, King Oyo took to the golf course himself, playing a series of thrilling shots.
He teed off on the 10th hole, followed by a memorable display of precision putting on the 9th green, which left the audience in awe.
His participation was more than ceremonial; it was a clear message that he believes in leading by example and inspiring others through action.
A Bright Future for Grassroots Golf
The Tooro Kingdom Inter-clans Juniors Golf Championship has set a new standard for grassroots sports development in Uganda, blending cultural pride with athletic prowess.
With King Oyo’s endorsement, the support of sponsors, and the unwavering commitment of institutions like the AFRIYEA Golf Academy, this initiative promises to be a powerful force for positive change in the lives of many young people.
By creating opportunities for the youth to develop both on and off the course, the Tooro Kingdom is positioning itself as a leader in using sports for social transformation.
As Uganda and the world look on, the future of golf in Tooro Kingdom shines brightly—under the watchful eye of a king who once made history as the world’s youngest monarch and now leads his people toward a future of unity, progress, and opportunity.
Mwesige continued, “Ugandan golfers are starting to have success on the global stage through these programmes in both prestigious professional and amateur tournaments.
Ronald Rugumayo became the first to make the cut at a DP World Tour event – the Magical Kenya Open this year and Godfrey Nsubuga was the first to qualify for the 2024 US Amateur.
These accomplishments will have a positive impact to build on what is possible for Ugandan young golfers to achieve and build upon in the future.”
A Kingdom’s Legacy: From the Youngest King to a Global Leader
King Oyo ascended the throne as the youngest monarch in the modern world at the tender age of three, following the passing of his father Rukirabasaija Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III who was the 11th King and died at the age of 49 years.
Over the years, his reign has become synonymous with cultural preservation, youth empowerment, and socio-economic development.
His special 29th Coronation Anniversary attracted dignitaries, royals, and guests from around the world, including local political leaders, international diplomats, and golf enthusiasts.
WINNERS GROSS BOYS
- Arafat Tumusiime – 68
- Patrick Kiiza – 71
WINNER GROSS GIRLS
- Laura Racheal Natukunda – 77
- Esezar Kemigisa – 83
BEST 18 HOLES BOYS BELOW 14 YEARS
- Thaddeus Byaruhanga – 85 GROSS
- David Kimara – 93 GROSS
BEST 9 HOLES BOYS
- Shalom Kayonga – 60 GROSS
- Martin Juuko – 68 GROSS
BEST 9 HOLES GIRLS
- Delta Alicia Karungi – 41C/B GROSS
- Joyce Kabajuma – 41 GROSS
BEST 6 HOLES BOYS
- Alvin Kato – 51 GROSS
BEST 4 HOLES GIRLS
- Estaphania Murungi – 30
- Teresa Kemigisa – 32
BEST 4 HOLES BOYS
- Nathan Musoni – 31
- Labson Ainomugisha – 34
WINNERS OF DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT WINNERS 7 years and below
- Gilbert Akampa
- Acaali Murungi
- Victoria Ihunde
- Elizabeth Mugizi
MOST IMPROVED PLAYED
- Violet Katusiime
SMARTEST PLAYER IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
- Elijah Kibalama
WINNING CLAN:
- Abasambu
Runner Up:
- Ababbobi
Additional reporting by Dove Love
The post King Oyo IV champions grassroots golf development as Tooro Kingdom celebrates 29th coronation anniversary appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
