Stanbic Bank's Head of Affluent Banking Arthur Kiwanuka (in tie-centre), and other stakeholders posing for a photo with some of the junior players during the launch of the Stanbic Annual Junior Golf Championship
Stanbic Bank has officially been unveiled as the anchor sponsor of the inaugural Annual Junior Golf Championship, scheduled to tee off on December 14 at the Uganda Golf Club, with a financing package of about UGX25 million.
Under the theme, Championing the future of Golf in Uganda, and supported by the Uganda Golf Union, Uganda Golf Club, Uganda Ladies Golf Union (ULGU) and Harris International, the tourney has attracted about 128 junior golfers aged between 10 and 19.
Addressing a news conference on Thursday, Arthur Kiwanuka, the Head of Affluent Banking at Stanbic Bank said, “We are proud to be long-standing supporters of sports development in this country. For many years, we have been at the forefront of nurturing Ugandan talent, and this commitment is strongly reflected in the game of golf.”
He said, “Our involvement in the Entebbe Golf Open, the Uganda Golf Club Monthly Mug, Watoto Charity Golf tourney, the Stanbic Matchplay and many other golf series are just a demonstration of our belief in the power of sport. Today, we extend this commitment to the next generation through the Annual Junior Golf Championship. This initiative is deeply rooted in our purpose, Uganda is our home, we drive her growth.”
Referring to the bank’s new brand campaign, Keep Growing, Kiwanuka said Stanbic Bank is renewing its pledge to support Ugandans at every stage of their financial journey, impacting the lives of women, youth, farmers, entrepreneurs, and professionals alike.
“Beyond golf, our support extends to football, rugby, basketball, athletics, and marathons, because we believe that sport is not just a co-curricular activity. It is a cornerstone, one that drives social and economic transformation. It builds communities, fosters teamwork, and shapes leaders,” Kiwanuka said.
ULGU President, Rita Akot Apell, said, “This year, the tournament will feature three competitive and developmental categories with the main event for youth being juniors who have handicaps and have been playing the game. A second category has been introduced for both the boys and the girls who are new to the game.
“This is to ensure that they start gaining the experience and so we are excited about this category. The third is the youth category. We want to introduce a youth event for the ages 13 to 35 and this is really to recognize the growing interest among young adults. The championships will also feature a subsidiary event for youth between 19 and 35,” she said.
She said, “This is not just going to be a one-off event. It is going to be annual. Next year, hopefully it will be a world amateur round event where the juniors will play for three days, 54 holes, and get ranked. We are all excited about this partnership.”
Camila Wangoi, the Connections Lead at Harris International said, “I would like to congratulate the parents who are allowing and sacrificing for these children to be part of this tournament. It is not a cheap sport, but believing in these children and instilling this earlier love in their lives is quite commendable.”
Stanbic Bank's Head of Affluent Banking Arthur Kiwanuka (left) having a light moment with ULGU's President Rita Apell and Uganda Golf Union's Mark Namanya (right)