My first time to hold a golf club was in 1970 at Gulu Sports Club. I had been posted there as Regional Prisons Commander and my house was just near Hole No.6.At this time, golfers here were mainly white teachers from Sir Samuel BakerSecondary School where I’m an old student.

On learning that I’m a former student of the school, the white teachers encouraged me to play golf with them after my official work to which I accepted. My work would end at 4:00pm and from here I would head to the course for a round of golf with my family. My children Solo (Solomon), Simon Jr and Irene would move to the course with me and caddie for me.

Golfers would leave the whole course for me. The Emorimor of Teso, Augustine Osuban, taught me the ABC of golf. He was the Regional Agricultural Officer and a very good golfer by then.When members of Gulu Sports Club realized that I had picked interest in thegame, they advised me to enroll as a member of the club t which I consented.

Playing Golf in Kampala

In 1971, I was transferred to Kampala to work at the Prisons Headquarters.
Again I was staying near Uganda Golf Club. I was occupying the house in lower where the defunct Air Uganda offices were located. I joined UGC when my handicap was 20.

There was a time when golf at Uganda Golf Club was synonymous with Kego family. I was winning, my wife was winning and so was Solo. We used to play golf with Abbey Ongom family, the oldest golfing family in Uganda today.

Kego, The Prominent Golfer

I played very good golf in the 70s and 80s and I was a member of National Amateur Team where I represented Uganda in many golf tours across Africa and abroad.

I was the second golfer to win UTL Club Championship in 2003 after Emmanuel Wamala. I won the prestigious Blue Jacket as the prize. My best handicap was 3; though I’m now playing double handicap. I’m contented with my achievement as a golfer. I now play for exercise and fun. I’m proud to see youths taking golf to another level.

Playing With Family

My whole family is in golf. It’s fun playing with my wife and children. There was a time when golf at UGC was synonymous with Kego family. I was winning, my wife was winning and so was Solo. We used to play golf with Abbey Ongom family, the oldest golfing family in Uganda today.

Have You Benefited From Golf?
On yes! Golf is really a good game. I have benefited from golf as an exercise to keep physically and mentally fit. Apart from this, I have benefited from golf socially. Golf brings together people from different social, political, academic and professional inclinations. I have met people from banking, legal, medical, educational and political backgrounds who have been very useful to me. I can get everything I want from the golf club.

Leadership

I didn’t get much involved in golf management in my early years of golfing because of commitment with government work. For instance, I could not manage taking leadership here as well as being Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

However, after my retirement, I served on a number of committees at UGC. I was captain of Mehta Golf Club for the last 14 years. I was also the captain of Northern Region in Inter-Regions Tournaments. I have also served as Vice President of Uganda Golf Union. Because of my age and contribution to UGC, I and my wife have been given a status of life membership.

ALICE KEGO

I started playing golf in 1974 at Uganda Golf Club. My husband, Simon Kego, was already a member at the club. It was challenging mixing golf with home chores and official work. I was a secretary working with the government of the Republic of Uganda. I would practice on weekends only.

Alice, The Winner

I have won Uganda Ladies Open title for over twelve times. Infact, some of my wins are not documented by the club. I won the 1984, 85 and 86 Open tournaments in a row. The ladies Open tournaments were sponsored by Shell Uganda (now Vivo Energy Ltd) and I remember one time, the Managing

Director of Shell, Helmet asking me, “What do you want again?” I think he meant that I had won all the prizes that they could offer. When I won the “Open” in 1992, Roofings Ltd sponsored me to go and play golf at Muthaiga, Kenya.

My best handicap was 8 during my hey days. I was the first Ugandan lady toplay single handicap. In the 1970s and 80s, I was the darling of newspapers. Iremember making headlines in Uganda Times that time.

Golf Outings
I have played golf on different courses of Kenya and Tanzania. I have playedin South Africa, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Egypt and Dubai.

Best Moment
I participated in inaugural all Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) in Zimbabwe in 1992. I felt much honoured to represent Uganda at the prestigious tournament.

Worst Moment
I have played in Tanzania Ladies Open at Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Golf Club thrice and each time I would lose by one stroke to someone who was far behind me in previous rounds. It is so painful.

Secondly, I played in Dubai Open in the 1980s and I was in pressure group on the first day. I was the fourth out of 100 players. I expected to finish among the top four but things didn’t work out. I lost on holes 3 and 4 and ended up a net winner. I was disappointed.

Leadership
I was Uganda Golf Club Lady Captain for three years, President of Uganda Ladies Golf Union twice and now a Coordinator of the Junior Academy.

Advice
Golf is a good game. A golf club is where discipline is instilled. You learn how to be gentle, honest and respectful. Golfing averts acts of mischief and binds families together.

Solomon Kego
I used to walk around the course when I was still in primary school. Since my parents were golfers, I could go golfing during holidays when I was in secondary school. What drove me into golf is the need for companionship, exercise and inspiration.

However, started active golf in 1995, playing at Mbale Sports Club and Tororo Golf Club when I was working with Nile Breweries Ltd. I’m now playing at Uganda Golf Club and I’m a single handicapper. My best handicap was 3. I now play for exercise and fun. I’m proud to see youths taking golf to another level.

Wins
I have won over 90 trophies. I have played with the likes of DeoAkope, Stephen Kasaija, Charles Yokwe (RIP) and Godfrey Mande. I won the club championship in 2004 and 2005. To me, my target is to win five tournaments per year and I’m achieving it.

Pro-plans
I have no plans of going professional because it is not lucrative in Uganda. This is the reason some pros are retreating to amateurship. The government is not supporting the game. Uganda has only nine golf clubs that are active. Our counterparts in Kenya have over thirty active clubs. For golf to be vibrant in this country,there is need for government involvement in addition to government support.

Trophies are given for charity
As a family, we have won hundreds of trophies. They could exceed 1000 but mum and dad lost very many during the 1979 war. We have resorted to donating some of these trophies to schools and other organizations when requested.

Kego’s Grand Children
I have three children, two of whom are already playing golf. I believe they will go far since they are always in the golf academy during holidays.