Uganda Stuns Kenya to Seize the 2025 Victoria Cup in a Golfing Epic
“NAIVASHA, Kenya — On March 22, 2025, Uganda’s national golf team etched a new chapter in East African sporting lore, toppling regional powerhouse Kenya to claim the Victoria Cup in a gripping showdown at the Mt. Kipipiri Golf Resort. In a tournament that reverberated beyond the fairways of this Rift Valley gem, Uganda secured a 13.5 to 10.5 victory, ending Kenya’s storied dominance in the biennial match-play event and signaling the rise of a new force in African golf. “
For the seventh edition of this Ryder Cup-inspired clash, the world watched as Uganda’s blend of veteran savvy and youthful flair turned the tide in a rivalry that has enthralled the continent since 2016.
A Rivalry Steeped in History
Named for Lake Victoria, the vast freshwater expanse that unites Kenya and Uganda, the Victoria Cup is more than a golf tournament—it’s a celebration of regional pride and sporting heritage. Since its debut in 2016, Kenya had reigned supreme, lifting the trophy in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022, while Uganda’s sole triumph came in 2019 on home soil. The 2023 edition, delayed to early 2024, ended in a dramatic 11-11 draw, with Kenya retaining the title after weather curtailed play. This year, however, Uganda arrived in Naivasha with a singular goal: to wrest the cup from their rivals and prove their prowess on foreign ground.
Spanning three days from March 20-22, the competition unfolded across four-ball better-ball, foursomes, and singles matches. Set against the breathtaking vistas of Mt. Kipipiri—a par-72 course perched in Kenya’s high-altitude heartland the event offered a stern test of skill and strategy, captivating golf enthusiasts worldwide.
Day 1: Uganda Strikes First
The opening salvos on March 20 hinted at an upset in the making. Uganda’s morning four-ball session was a statement of intent, yielding 3.5 points to Kenya’s 0.5. Joseph Reagan Akena and John Musiimenta battled to a halve against Kenya’s captain John Lejirma and Daniel Kiragu, while Abdallah Kakooza and Titus Okwong toppled Josphat Rono and Raphael Leming’ani 3&1. Team captain Joseph Cwinya-ai, alongside Abdul Kakeeto, eked out a 2&1 win over Elvis Muigua and Kevin Anyien, and Elton Thembo and Ibrahim Ssemakula sealed a 3&2 victory against Soni Tsevi and Krish Shah.
Kenya responded in the afternoon foursomes, clawing back with a 3-1 edge. Muigua and Shah bested Kakooza and Anthony Otukei 3&2, and Kiragu and Rono overwhelmed Kakeeto and Musiimenta 5&3. Uganda’s lone bright spot was Akena and Peter Mayende’s stunning 7&6 rout of Lejirma and Shah. By day’s end, Uganda held a slim 4.5 to 3.5 lead, setting the stage for a pulsating contest.
Day 2: Uganda Pulls Ahead
Friday, March 21, proved the tipping point. Uganda’s morning foursomes session was a clinic, sweeping all four matches in a 4-0 shutout. Akena and Mayende dazzled again, while Cwinya-ai’s pairing dismantled Lejirma and Elly Barno 7&6. The afternoon four-ball matches saw parity restored, with both teams splitting 2-2, but Uganda’s earlier dominance propelled them to a 10.5 to 5.5 advantage. With just 2.5 points needed from the final day’s 10 singles matches, victory was within reach.
“We need four wins out of 10, and we’re home,” said Cwinya-ai, ranked 310th globally among amateurs, after Day 2. His confidence rested on rising stars like 19-year-old Akena, Uganda’s Amateur Open champion, and 15-year-old Mayende, whose poise defied his youth.”
Day 3: The Final Push
March 22’s singles matches electrified the Mt. Kipipiri galleries as Kenya rallied with home-crowd fervor. Yet Uganda stood firm. Akena’s precision delivered a pivotal point, while Cwinya-ai’s experience anchored the effort. Kenya’s Lejirma, Muigua, and Ebill Omollo fought fiercely, but Uganda’s depth bolstered by newcomers Mayende and Ssemakula proved decisive. Crossing the 12.5-point mark, Uganda sealed a 13.5 to 10.5 triumph, igniting celebrations among their traveling supporters.
Key Performances and Turning Points
Cwinya-ai’s captaincy was masterful, blending seasoned hands with rookies seamlessly. Akena emerged as the tournament’s breakout talent, his multi-format wins heralding a bright future. The Day 2 foursomes whitewash was the game-changer, exposing Kenya’s cracks and cementing Uganda’s lead. For Kenya, Lejirma’s grit kept hope alive, but early stumbles in the four-ball proved costly.
Coach Flavia Namakula, “The boys delivered this is our moment,” she said. Arriving a week early to master Mt. Kipipiri’s altitude paid off, ending a six-year title drought and narrowing Kenya’s series lead to 5-2. Teens like Akena, Mayende, Ssemakula, and Otukei signaled a generational shift.
https://x.com/AfriyeaGolf/status/1903457572172013572?t=VFH-vscEXeiV4oD6N3E2Mw&s=19
