Helen Waiswa Tanyinga Lunkuse, the newly elected Vice President of the Ladies Golf Union (ULGU) for 2025–2026, has pledged to promote and expand golf across Uganda, with a strong focus on junior development and community engagement.
Speaking to the media at Richmond Hotel Butabala in Kamuli on March 27, 2025, Lunkuse emphasized the need to make golf more accessible and inclusive, particularly for young people in local communities.
She called on leaders and citizens to embrace golf as a tool for social transformation, instilling discipline, building resilience, and creating global opportunities for youth.
“For the love of the game and our youth’s future, I pledge to serve with commitment, integrity, and a spirit of collaboration.
Let us work together to ensure that more juniors, especially from our local communities, are given the chance to thrive through golf.
Together, we can elevate the profile of golf—not only as a competitive sport but as a platform for character building, lifelong networks, and national pride,” she said.
As Vice President, Lunkuse will chair the Competitions Committee and lead Junior Golf Development initiatives nationwide.
She acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed her dedication to nurturing young talent and strengthening the sport’s foundation in Uganda.
Busoga Kingdom’s Minister for Kyabazinga Affairs, Yudaya Babirye Kigenyi, congratulated Lunkuse on her new role and pledged the kingdom’s support in popularizing golf in local communities, schools, and institutions.
She noted that Lunkuse’s leadership presents an opportunity to bring the game to the grassroots.
“We congratulate Lady Tanyinga Lunkuse for taking such a coveted position in a revered game. We take pride in the fact that she will passionately promote golf in Busoga,” she said.
Lunkuse becomes the second high-profile sports leader from Busoga after FUFA President Hashim Moses Magogo.
EALA MP and sports advocate Veronica Babirye Kadogo said her election would inspire more women and girls to take up the sport.
“Helen Tanyinga is a human rights advocate, mentor, development practitioner, and passionate about gender equality, community empowerment, and climate justice. She will drive golf everywhere, to everyone. We should utilize her leadership to bring golf to our schools, institutions, and communities,” Kadogo stated.
Richmond Hotel Butabala Kamuli Proprietor Christopher Kalema also pledged support, offering free meeting space for golf development discussions. He suggested that Kamuli could embrace golf through Lillian Children Arena and Gardens Butabala.
“We are a sporting family with deep roots in the community, so we shall give Helen the necessary support in her quest to develop golf in rural communities,” Kalema added.
Lunkuse is the Founder and Executive Director of the Rape Hurts Foundation, an organization that provides holistic support to survivors of gender-based violence.
She is a trained legal researcher, project manager, and policy analyst with extensive experience in advocacy, capacity building, and youth mentorship.
She is an alumna of Wanyange Girls School, Seeta High School, and Makerere University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management and a Master’s in Human Rights.
Her passion for sports, leadership, and social change is expected to play a key role in transforming the golf landscape in Uganda.