Reigning Uganda Open champion Joseph Reagan Akena will fly to the United States next month to participate in the prestigious US Amateur Championship qualifiers. The qualifiers will be held at PB Dye Golf Club in Washington from July 17–19, 2025.
Akena, currently ranked among the top 500 amateur golfers globally, earned the invite through his impressive international and domestic performances over the past year. Speaking after receiving his US visa on Monday, the 20-year-old Lugazi-based golfer expressed his excitement about the upcoming challenge.
“It will be a dream and honour to play in this tournament,” said Akena. “My golf journey continues to unravel in many unique, interesting ways, and I hope that I can learn one or two things when competing against some of the best golfers in the world golf capital that is America.”
The national team star, who helped Uganda dethrone Kenya at the Victoria Cup held in Mt. Kipipiri in March, noted that his trip to the US comes with a bittersweet twist. Akena will miss the Pearl of Africa Golf Series in Lugazi, an event close to his heart.
“I would have loved to play in the POA event,” he admitted. “But in life, you can’t have your cake and eat it. I will miss POA. But I will be around for the Open.”
Akena expressed gratitude to the R&A High Performance Programme and the Uganda Golf Union leadership for their support in nurturing his golf career.
With the 2025 Uganda Open set to return to Lugazi Golf Club—where Akena first learned the game—he is already being tipped as the tournament favourite.
Akena’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. His 2024 season was decorated with wins at the Kakira Open, Jinja Open, Lugazi Centenary, Godfrey Nsubuga Invitational, Mbale Open, and Kilelesi competition, culminating in his Uganda Open triumph.
Meanwhile, former Uganda Open champion Godfrey Nsubuga, the man Akena dethroned, will also compete in the US Amateur Championship qualifiers. Nsubuga will tee off earlier, between July 14–17.
