It’s every professional golfer’s dream to play at the highest level, especially earning membership on elite tours such as the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, and Asian Tour.
But to get to that level, players have to go through qualifying tournaments and Uganda’s top home-based pro Marvin Kibirige got his chance to compete.
Kibirrige is set to participate in the 2026 Q-School Golf Championship, which will take place from January 16th to January 30th in India.
On Saturday, January 10, Equity Bank supported Kibirige’s dream with US$2,000 to facilitate his participation in the 2026 Q-School Golf Championship.
While handing over the dummy cheque, Clare Tumwesigye, the Head of Marketing and Communications at Equity Bank, noted that the Bank sees Kibirige’s journey as one that mirrors its own mission.
“As a Bank, our promise is to transform lives, and we are doing this with Mr Kibirige. He has a dream of playing at the top golf events in the world, and we want to journey with him in achieving this dream,” she said.
For Kibirige, a former caddie who learned the game by watching others play at Marylouise Simkins Golf Club in Namulonge and rose through sheer persistence, self-teaching his swing when coaching was unavailable and earned a permanent place on Uganda’s national team, the moment carried deep personal meaning.
“This is a dream come true,” Kibirige said. “Q-School gives hope to local players. It shows that with hard work and the right support, a Ugandan golfer can compete anywhere.”
Now ranked number one locally among professionals, Kibirige has tasted international competition but has often been limited by the high cost of travel. The support removes a critical barrier, allowing him to compete on merit rather than means.
Beyond the cheque, Equity also provided logistical support and equipment, reinforcing a partnership built on belief rather than publicity.
