In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Uganda, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa has eliminated all single-use plastics from its golfing course ecosystem.
Launched last Saturday, the three-year initiative is supported by dfcu bank and forms part of a broader campaign aimed at reducing high-volume plastic waste, beginning with a zero-plastic milestone at the golf course.
Kate Kiiza, executive director and chief corporate and institutional banking officer at dfcu bank, said cultivating responsible habits, reshaping sustainability mindsets and eliminating waste at source can be just as important, if not more impactful, than financial investments in waste management.
She said the bank hopes those whose mindsets have been transformed through the initiative will, in turn, influence many more people in the long run.
“Sustainability is not about money; sustainability is about hearts and minds… what we do and encouraging our partners is to follow on the responsibility journey,” said Kiiza.
“We believe sustainability means lifestyle; sustainability means hearts and minds. What that means is that as an individual, you must think about what you’re doing, and together with the others influence others on what you do. We cannot sit back and blame everybody else when we can do something ourselves,” she said.
Phase one of the initiative will focus on introducing reusable bottles and water refill stations across the Serena Golf Club course.
Phase two will involve a three-year commitment to maintaining a plastic-free golfing environment while strengthening sustainable habits among participants and stakeholders.
Phase three will see the initiative expanded to other golf clubs and public spaces across Uganda. Additionally, all Lake Victoria Serena members will receive personalised bottles engraved with their names, courtesy of dfcu bank.
Dfcu board chair Jimmy D Mugerwa said the initiative aligns with the bank’s sustainability and environmental protection agenda, which has seen the institution increase its recycling rates and reduce its carbon footprint.
“In 2024, dfcu bank made notable progress in its ESG [Environmental Social and Governance ] performance. The bank successfully recycled 60 per cent of the waste generated across its operations, demonstrating a strong commitment to responsible waste management and environmental conservation. In addition, the bank achieved a 15 per cent reduction in its operational carbon footprint through various environmental commitments and sustainability initiatives,” he said.
Theodor Van Rooy, golf director at Lake Victoria Serena Hotel & Spa, noted that the golf club receives about 3,000 guests every month, contributing significantly to plastic use, alongside the heavy foot traffic generated by golfers across the course.
Van Rooy said the initiative was particularly important because, over the past two years, management had observed large volumes of plastic waste flowing onto the golf course during heavy rains, especially around Hole 14.
He said much of the waste eventually finds its way into Lake Victoria, a vital water body depended upon by millions of people. Henceforth, every golfer will receive a reusable bottle upon arrival for a round of golf, with refill stations strategically positioned between Holes 5 and 14 to allow players access to water throughout the day.
Van Rooy added that Serena has already extended the initiative by eliminating all plastic bottles from hotel rooms and conference halls.