(Kampala) – Uganda and Kenya are teaming up to boost regional tourism through golf, with a cross-border tournament aimed at showcasing both countries’ tourism potential and attracting international visitors.
Uganda Golf Club (UGC) is hosting the Uganda-Kenya Coast Golf Tournament at Kitante, with high hopes for the event’s potential to advance golf tourism across East Africa. Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Chief Executive Officer Lilly Ajarova, who took office in 2019, has spearheaded initiatives to connect sports and tourism in Uganda, building on the potential of activities like athletics, football, and golf to contribute to economic growth.
At the tournament’s press launch on Thursday, UGC captain Paul Rukundo emphasized the economic impact golf tourism has had globally. He highlighted Portugal as an example, noting that golf tourism generates around $460 million annually for the Portuguese economy and supports 25,000 jobs. In contrast, UGC currently hosts smaller numbers, with about 20 to 40 tourist golfers each week. Recent groups, like the 30 golfers from Ghana, bring in up to $60,000 weekly, with each tourist expected to spend an average of $1,500.
Saturday’s tournament marks the event’s third round, following earlier legs at Kenya’s Vipingo and Nyali golf clubs. Uganda’s team secured victory at the Vipingo leg, adding momentum to the tournament’s goal of enhancing golf tourism across both nations. The event goes beyond competition, incorporating post-tournament tours around Kampala and Entebbe to highlight Uganda’s attractions to potential tourists and investors.
Ugandan Ambassador to Kenya, Paul Mukumbya, emphasized the collaborative nature of the tournament, underscoring that the approach is to promote tourism through shared strengths. “This tourney will be based on the concept of complementarity rather than competition,” Mukumbya noted. While Kenya’s coastal cities boast stunning beaches, Uganda’s attractions lie in its unique wildlife, including mountain gorillas, elephants, and lions. The tournament aims to introduce golfers with disposable income to these attractions, providing a platform to boost tourism and trade.
The tournament is also a precursor to the third Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference, set for November 20-21. To highlight the event’s regional significance, the trophy for the winning team will be a golden Silverback, celebrating Uganda’s famed mountain gorillas.
The Uganda-Kenya Coast Golf Tournament draws 120 players, including 60 from Kenya, who will compete in a medal or stroke-play format at Kitante. This cross-border event is supported by the Uganda Tourism Board, Kenya Tourism Board, and various tourism partners, making it an important step toward building a sustainable tourism network in East Africa.
| Event | Uganda-Kenya Coast Golf Tournament |
|---|---|
| Leg | 3rd |
| Date | November 9 |
| Venue | Uganda Golf Club, Kitante |
| Mode of Play | Medal / Stroke-play |
| Event Partners | Uganda Consulate (Mombasa), UTB, Kenya Tourism Board, Magical Kenya Open |