For quite some time, Shaka Kariisa’s budding potential has been widely recognized. Now, it’s officially confirmed.
The South Africa-based teenager, who turns 16 in early July, has been selected to represent Uganda at the upcoming All-Africa Junior Team Championship in Tunisia later this month.
Kariisa, with a playing index of +2.3, has seen his young career grow rapidly on the greens of Johannesburg, and his inclusion will undoubtedly enhance the quality of Team Uganda in the Tunisian capital.
Kariisa was selected alongside Peter Mayende, Anthony Otukei, and 14-year-old Switzerland-based John Paul Rugumambaju.
Rugumambaju plays at Golf & Country Club de Maison Blanche, located across the border in France but under the Swiss and French federations.
While Kariisa is affiliated with Uganda Golf Club, he currently trains at the Balderstone Sports Institute in South Africa. Mayende and Otukei are products of the Lugazi Hills Golf & Country Club.
The team is scheduled to arrive in Tunisia on April 22, with a practice round the following day, which will also include the opening ceremony and team photo session.
Anthony Otukei’s playing index is 1.8, while Mayende and Rugumambaju are at 4.3 and 2.3, respectively.
Rugumambaju finished 30th in the Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateur Golf Open last year at the age of 13.
The presence of Mayende and Otukei will boost the team’s confidence, considering their roles in the national golf team’s victory over Kenya at Mt. Kipipiri Golf Resort to win the prestigious Victoria Cup last month.
The top two countries in the competition will represent Africa at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan, and Uganda aims to return to the global stage. Uganda has previously qualified for the Junior Golf World Cup twice.
Uganda’s contingent to Tunisia will also include a girls’ team: Rachael Laura Natukunda (9.9 index), Elizabeth Danelle Kawalya (10.9), and Keisha Wiltshire Kagoro (1.8).
Accompanying the team will be team manager Paul Habyarimana and national team coach Flavia Namakula.
The team’s travel and expenses to North Africa will be covered by the National Council of Sports, the government’s regulatory body for sports in the country.
