Haider Somani is one of the of the oldest golfers in Uganda and a life member at Uganda Golf Club. TrueGolfer’s Eric Mukhwana caught up with him for an interview at his office at Metropole House and …

When did you start playing golf?
I started in 1962 at Kabale Sports Club. I was a businessman there.

Golf has come a long way. Today, there are well maintained golf courses, the number of players has grown, there is sponsorship, equipment are accessible and there is awareness about golf. This was not the case in the past.

How was golf in the 60s?
The Whites didn’t allow us to play nor go near the golf course despite the course belonging to the municipality.

Were there many municipalities by then?
Every municipality had a golf course. However, Uganda Golf Club and Kasese were private.

So, when did the Blacks and Asians get active in golf?
Blacks and Asians got active after Uganda got Independence. When Uganda got Independence in 1962, the White population got dwindled and courses were abandoned. This is the time we took over the management of golf courses and started playing golf.

Which people were instrumental to golf at that time?
I with Eng. S. Katama, District Commissioner of Kabale, The Somani Family and other Asians.

How do you compare golf in the 60s, 70s, 80s and the present time?
Golf has come a long way. Today, there are well maintained golf courses, the number of players has grown, there is a big number of professionals, there is sponsorship, equipment are accessible and there is awareness about golf. This was not the case in the past.

What happened to golf in 1970s during the reign of President Iddi Amin Dada?
We remained in Kampala. Our golf was not interrupted.

How has the Somani Family contributed towards the development of golf in Uganda?
From 1985-1995, The Somani Family sponsored a tournament in Kabale. Then from 1996 – 2003, the sponosorship was made by The Metropolitan Forex Bureau, a Somani Family company.

Tell us about the Senior Golfing Society.
Iam the founder chairman of Senior Golfing Society. I started it with Y. Sidpra, Francis Ayume (RIP), Zack Muwanga (RIP) and NaruThakkar in the early 1990s. The objective was to cater for the affairs of 55 years and above golfers.

What is your role in golf today?
I am a life member and Trustee at Uganda Golf Club.

What do you do during your leisure time?
I play golf, pray and have time with my family.