When I first called Isaiah for our interview, he answered from a place you wouldn’t necessarily expect for a conversation about transforming lives: the golf course.
Between shots, he spoke with infectious enthusiasm about his vision for the Afriyea Golf Academy, a project that is reshaping the future of golf in Uganda and changing the lives of countless children along the way.
A seed planted in Port Porto
Isaiah’s story began in Port Porto, a small town nestled in the western region of Uganda. As a young boy, he was introduced to golf at the Toro Golf Club. Established in 1918, it’s one of the oldest courses in Uganda.
Despite the club’s history and the sport’s roots in the country since 1901, Isaiah saw the harsh reality: Uganda was failing to cultivate professional golf talent. The reasons were clear — a lack of structured opportunities for young people to enter and excel in the sport.
This realisation ignited a spark in Isaiah. Determined to make a change, he dreamed up something new and impactful: a golf academy with the foundations to grow the game in Uganda.
“I wanted us to create a golf academy that will offer kids an opportunity to learn about life skills, sustainability, and how to have a purpose in life,” said Mwesige.
And from that seed, the idea of the Afriyea Golf Academy became a reality.
The Afriyea Golf Academy
In 2020, Isaiah launched the Afriyea Golf Academy — a name blending “Africa” with “yea” to convey joy and positivity.
But this academy was about far more than just golf. Inspired by his own experience of walking 14 kilometres to caddy and make ends meet, Isaiah envisioned a place where children could not only learn the game but also be provided with opportunities that may have previously been out of reach.
To bring his vision to life, he recruited a dream team of coaches, including Stephen Kasaija, a former national team coach, and other talented mentors like Ronald Rugamayo, the first Ugandan to make the cut on the DP World Tour.
The academy quickly began producing young stars like Rachael Natukunda, who represented Uganda in the All-Africa Championship in South Africa.
“Some of the things we wanted to achieve in five years have already been achieved in three years,” commented Mwesige.
“We wanted to see how we can use the academy to create the pathways for the kids to make the national team, and we have already produced some of our pioneer students to become national team players.”
Education and Sustainability
Afriyea is not your typical golf academy. Isaiah, who holds a degree in agriculture and is a passionate environmental activist, has made sustainability a core value.
The academy hosts monthly clean-up campaigns, tree-planting events, and educational workshops on environmental conservation. Isaiah underscores the importance of golf courses in carbon sequestration and biodiversity, emphasising that they are much more than just spaces for sport.
“We teach people about how environmental conservation is part of our everyday life,” Mwesige emphasised. “It’s important to make environmental sustainability a culture for everyone.”
By engaging the entire community — children, parents, and even local leaders — in these initiatives, the academy fosters a culture of environmental stewardship, all while educating the next generation on the importance of sustainability.
But Isaiah’s vision doesn’t stop there. The academy also emphasises life skills and STEM education. Children learn computer skills during weekend sessions, explore journalism through the “KidsGov” podcast, and develop communication skills that will serve them well beyond the golf course.
“They’re learning life skills,” said Mwesige. “A lot of times when you’re in school, you learn a lot of stuff that isn’t necessary, but if you’re focusing purely on the life skills that are going to get them a job, going to get them a future, that’s the most important thing.”
Challenges met with resilience
Like any ambitious endeavour, the academy faces its share of hurdles, especially financial ones. Isaiah has largely relied on personal savings and donations to keep things running.
However, recent support from international organisations like the Royal & Ancient Golf Club (R&A) has provided a much-needed boost. The R&A — which even provided Isaiah with tickets to The Open Championship at Royal Troon — recognises the academy’s potential to diversify and democratise the sport.
The funding challenges are significant, but Isaiah remains undeterred. He continues to pursue partnerships and has launched initiatives such as fundraisers, aiming to secure the resources needed to expand the academy’s reach and impact.
“The plan is to see how we can position the academy to acquire funding from the national but also the international community for sure, because these kids are going to contribute to the golf industry worldwide,” noted Mwesige.
“If we could get someone to invest in us, we already have the students and the structure; it would be very easy to develop and grow the academy further.”
Inspiring a new generation of golfers
Afriyea is already making waves. Over 1,000 children from 31 schools have participated in the academy’s programmes, and that number doesn’t even include those reached through village outreach efforts.
The academy has also earned national recognition, recently becoming Uganda’s official golf academy, in partnership with the Uganda Golf Union. This designation speaks volumes about its influence in shaping the future of the sport.
But perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Afriyea is its commitment to inclusivity. Golf in Uganda is often seen as a sport for the wealthy, inaccessible to most due to high costs.
“The academy can change lives” said Mwesige emphatically. “I believe it can change the landscape of golf in Uganda, change the perception of how people see golf because it’s a game that is being played by the rich people here.”
The Afriyea Golf Academy is challenging that narrative by offering free training and creating opportunities for children from all backgrounds. Isaiah believes that with the right investment, golf can become a more inclusive sport in Uganda and beyond.
“Parents would love to get their kids playing golf, but they don’t have the funds to support them,” commented Mwesige. “They travel long distances to come and play. They want to learn the game of golf, but the poverty levels are very high.”
Looking ahead
As Isaiah reflects on the academy’s journey, he remains optimistic. He envisions a future where Afriyea continues to grow, supported by national and international partners, to nurture both future golf champions and well-rounded, environmentally-conscious citizens.
Isaiah’s recent experience attending The Open at Troon, courtesy of the R&A, has opened doors for potential partnerships and opportunities that could propel the academy’s development.
His appearance on Sky Sports offered a glimpse into the world of professional golf for his young students back home, fueling their aspirations to reach similar heights.
“It was my very first time attending a major event, so being at Royal Troon was very special to me,” Mwesige said. “But I felt it was more special to the kids because it inspires them. If Isaiah can make it there, there’s hope — maybe we can be there next time.”
A new era for golf in Uganda
The Afriyea Golf Academy is more than just a place to learn golf; it’s a symbol of possibility and a testament to the power of vision and determination. Isaiah’s leadership and passion are helping to transform the sport in Uganda, making it accessible and relevant to a new generation.
In a world where barriers often seem insurmountable, the Afriyea Golf Academy is breaking them down — one swing at a time. As the academy continues to grow, it carries the promise of a brighter, more inclusive future for golf in Uganda, and the potential to change lives well beyond the fairway.
