Uganda will this week host the first-ever African Disc Golf Summit, a milestone event jointly organised by Disc Golf Uganda and the Paul McBeth Foundation, in partnership with UPlay, UDisc and the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA).
The four-day summit, running from November 12-15, will attract delegates from Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zambia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Estonia and the United States of America, marking a historic first for the sport on the continent.
The summit aims to shape the foundation for disc golf’s structured growth in Africa through training, networking and competition. Participants will engage in technical sessions on course design, teaching the game, event hosting and data analytics, all led by some of the sport’s most influential figures.
Former World Champion Avery Jenkins will conduct the session on course design, while UPlay educators will focus on introducing disc golf in schools and communities. UDisc and PDGA will lead discussions on event organisation and the power of data in tracking the sport’s progress.
‘Hosting the first African Disc Golf Summit in Uganda is a sign of how far we’ve come and how bright our future is. This event will inspire new players, empower organizers, and create connections that will grow disc golf across the continent. Uganda’s central role shows the world that Africa is ready to fly discs, not just dreams,’ said Israel Muwanguzi, the East Africa Coordinator at the PDGA.
A growing sport
Disc golf was first introduced in December 2022 at Ndejje University during the East African University Games. That journey was championed by First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga and Rev. Latimer Muwanguzi.
The official launch coincided with the establishment of the country’s first permanent 18-hole course at Ndejje University.
Momentum continued to build in 2023 with the inaugural PDGA-sanctioned tournament, the Crested Crane Classic, held at Ndejje University in October.
Uganda’s journey from introduction to continental leadership has taken less than three years.
According to the UDisc global course guide, Uganda currently has four permanent disc golf courses: the Ndejje University Disc Golf Course in Luweero, the Uganda Christian University Disc Golf Course in Mukono, the Katosi Disc Golf Course in Katosi, and the Acasia Disc Golf Course in Kampala.
These courses represent a fast-growing network that has evolved through partnerships between Disc Golf Uganda, the Paul McBeth Foundation and international volunteers.
Uganda has hosted several community clinics and three national events since 2022, helping introduce the game to schools and local sports institutions.
However, the country still faces challenges such as limited access to professional discs, baskets and training facilities, issues the summit hopes to address through collaboration and sponsorship.
Summit schedule
The summit opens on November 12 with a networking dinner at Keba Hotel. The second day will feature a masterclass on course design led by 2009 World Champion Avery Jenkins and a community clinic at St. Joseph’s Institute Kisubi. On November 14, all eyes will turn to Ndejje University in Luweero for the official PDGA Event, where delegates will gain hands-on tournament experience.
The summit will conclude on November 15 with sessions on event hosting and sports data management.
‘Disc golf thrives on community. By bringing together passionate people from ten nations, this summit is planting seeds that will bear fruit in schools, parks, and communities across Africa,’ Muwanguzi added.
DISC GOLF IN AFRICA – FAST FACTS
Uganda
4 permanent courses (Ndejje University, UCU-Mukono, Katosi, Acasia-Kampala)
3 national tournaments since 2022
South Africa
12+ courses
Hosts PDGA-sanctioned events including the Cape Town Open
Zambia
2 courses (Lusaka, Livingstone)
Growing youth development network
Zimbabwe
2 community courses
Hosts annual regional meetups
Rwanda and Ethiopia
Launching pilot programs through UPlay