Uganda’s Kibirige edges closer to global golf stage after strong PGTI Q-School showing in India

January 26, 2026 in by Editor

Uganda’s professional golf ambitions received a timely boost in India after Marvin Kibirige delivered a composed performance to advance from the opening stage of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) Qualifying School, keeping alive his pursuit of a place on the Asian professional circuit.

Kibirige finished second overall at the first qualifying event held at the Kensville Golf and Country Club in Ahmedabad, posting a level-par total of 142 over two rounds. He ended the tournament just one shot behind India’s MD Nawab, who topped the leaderboard on 141, a margin that underlined the competitiveness of the field.

The result secured Kibirige a spot in the next phase of the three-stage qualification process, with the decisive final stage scheduled for late January. Advancement at Q-School is widely regarded as a pivotal career milestone, offering players a pathway onto recognised professional tours, access to world ranking points and entry into lucrative international events.

Kibirige’s campaign in India followed crucial backing from Equity Bank, which earlier in January extended financial support to ease the cost of international competition. The bank handed the golfer a sponsorship worth USD 2,000 at the Uganda Golf Club, a gesture that proved immediately impactful.

On the course, the Ugandan showed maturity and control across the 36-hole contest. Representing the Mary Louise Simkins Memorial Golf Course club, he opened with a steady one-under-par 71 before closing with a 73. Across the two rounds, Kibirige mixed six birdies with 22 pars and six bogeys, comfortably finishing inside the cut line of six-over-par from a field of 141 players.

His performance placed him among the 27 golfers who progressed to the final qualifying stage, scheduled to run from January 23 to 26, where playing rights on the Asian-based tour will be at stake.

Speaking at the sponsorship handover earlier this month, Equity Bank’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Clare Tumwesigye, said the institution was committed to supporting Ugandan talent with the potential to compete on the world stage.

She noted that Kibirige’s journey reflected the bank’s broader mission of empowerment through long-term partnerships, adding that disciplined athletes with global ambitions could serve as powerful ambassadors for the country.

Currently ranked fourth among Uganda’s professional golfers, Kibirige described his Q-School opportunity as both a personal breakthrough and a symbol of possibility for the next generation of players.

He said competing at this level demonstrated that Ugandan golfers could match international standards when given the right support, discipline and exposure.

Kibirige’s rise has been shaped by persistence rather than privilege. A former caddie who grew up around the Namulonge Golf Course, he has steadily worked his way through domestic and regional competitions, earning a regular place on the national team since 2018. His progression has made him one of the most recognisable faces in Ugandan golf, a sport still seeking firm footing on the continental and global scene.

Beyond direct funding, Equity Bank’s support has also extended to logistical facilitation and playing equipment, highlighting the growing role of corporate partnerships in sustaining elite sport in Uganda, particularly in disciplines where international competition comes with significant financial demands.

As Kibirige prepares for the final hurdle of Q-School, he does so carrying both personal ambition and national expectation. With momentum building and belief behind him, his performance in India has marked another important chapter in a career increasingly defined by quiet determination and steady progress on golf’s demanding global fairways.