The Uganda Open Golf Championship Series continue this week with the men’s Amateur Open taking centre stage from Wednesday to Saturday.

Godfrey Nsubuga comes into the tournament as the most in-form player having extended his play beyond borders having featured in several amateur tournaments in Kenya.

Former winner Joseph Cwinya-ai, last year’s runner-up Michael Tumusiime, Joseph Kasozi and Ibrahim Bagalana are some of the top golfers who will be going for the title during the three-day event.

Being a rainy season, the golfers will have to adapt to the difficult conditions and adjust accordingly.

As demonstrated by Peace Kabasweka the winner of the Ladies Open, a strong start could be key in deciding who could go all the way.

The road to becoming a golf champion is more than striking the ball; it encompasses composure, calmness, focus and big-stage temperament. It remains to be seen who will emerge as the 2023 Uganda Amateur Open Golf champion.

Entebbe Golf Club captain Serwano Walusimbi danced to the podium after emerging as the overall winner of the October MTN Monthly Tee on Saturday, October 13th.

Walusimbi played a 4-under 67 to beat a large field of 176 players who took the par 71 course overlooking the region’s biggest water body Lake Victoria.

Jovia Tugume topped the women’s category with 68 nett with Maureen Okura (69) taking the runners-up place on countback.

The 19th hole was themed MTN@25 as MTN Uganda celebrates its 25th anniversary in the country.

“I’m thrilled to be here today to celebrate this special occasion as MTN Uganda reaches its 25th anniversary. It’s a remarkable milestone, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate it with all of you,” acting CEO Enid Edroma said.

“This event [MTN Monthly Tee] holds a special place in our hearts because it’s not just about golf, it’s about celebrating youth and playfulness, just like a 25-year-old. It’s about celebrating the spirit of unity, resilience, and progress that have defined MTN’s journey over the years,” she added.

All winners on the night at the MTN@25 Monthly Tee had their gongs presented to them by MTN employees.

MTN Monthly Tee | October Results

WINNER OVERALL: Serwano Walusimbi – 67 nett

WINNER GROUP A MEN: Micheal Odur – 70 nett c/b
RUNNER UP GROUP A MEN: Andrew Baguma – 70 nett c/b

WINNER GROUP B MEN: Daniel Opwonya – 69 nett
RUNNER UP GROUP B MEN: Richard Mucunguzi – 70 nett

WINNER GROUP C MEN: Jonathan Bakwega – 68 nett
RUNNER UP GROUP C MEN: Colin Talemwa – 68 nett

WINNER LADIES: Jovia Tugume – 68 nett
RUNNER UP LADIES: Moureen Okura – 69 nett c/b

WINNER SENIORS: Jamil Maningi – 68 nett

GUEST WINNER: Robert Mugabe – 69 nett

Peace Amooti Kabasweka kept her nerve in the final three holes on the final day to clinch her first-ever Uganda Ladies Open Golf title on Saturday.

Tanzania’s Iddi Madina Hussein who was four shots behind caught up with Kabasweka by the 15th hole but the Ugandan held her nerve par holes 16, 17 and 18 as Madina bogeyed the final hole.

“I feel so happy, I am excited, and I am over the moon,” Kabasweka said in the aftermath.

The Toro Golf Club player set the foundation for her victory on day one on Thursday when she recorded the best-ever score in the Ladies Open with a magnificent 4-under 68 with some superb putting.

Despite the slide on the subsequent rounds, the solid 5-stroke lead she had over Madina on the opening day set her on the path to victory.

“I have chased this title for the last four years and I have been very close before. I almost gave up at number 18 but handed it to God on the last hole,” she confessed.

Meanwhile, in the seniors’ category, Steven Katwiremu won by sudden death while Malawian, Roza Mbilizi won the Ladies’ Senior Category.

Focus now turns to the men’s Amateur Open that will be played this week from 18th-21st October.

Ladies Open Winners – Past 10 Years

• 2023 – Peace Kabasweka (Uganda)
• 2022 – Martha Babirye (Uganda)
• 2021 – Irene Nakalembe (Uganda)
• 2020 – Martha Babirye (Uganda)
• 2019 –  Martha Babirye (Uganda)
• 2018 – Neema Olomi (Tanzania)
• 2017 – Angel Eaton (Tanzania)
• 2016 – Flavia Namakula (Uganda)
• 2015 – Flavia Namakula (Uganda)
• 2014 – Flavia Namakula (Uganda)
• 2013 – Angel Eaton (Tanzania)

Peace Kabasweka could be on the way to winning her maiden Uganda Ladies Open Golf title after maintaining top spot on the leaderboard on Day Two.

Kabasweka maintained top spot on the leaderboard despite having a tough day on the course in Round Two during which she started off with four straight boggies on the first four holes.

The Tooro Club member returned 3-over par 75 on Friday after a superb opening round of 4-under 68 on day one for a combined 143 gross score after 36 holes.

With Iddy Madina registering the day’s second best score of 2-over 74 following a 1-over 73 on day one, Kabasweka’s lead is now down to four strokes over the Tanzanian ahead of the final round on Saturday.

Meron Kyomugisha also scored 2-over 74 to follow her opening day return of 76 and enters the main pressure group on the final day.

Evah Magala returned 78 for a total of 152 slips to 5th and ultimately out of the main final day pressure group with Kenya’s Ashley Awour (74, 76) taking her spot.

Meanwhile, defending champion Martha Babirye bounced back from a poor opening day performance to return the day’s best score of 1-over 73 and maintained her place (7th) on the leaderboard.

The final round will be played on Saturday and the main pressure group comprising of Kabasweka, Madina, Kyomugisha and Awour will tee off at 12:30 PM.

Peace Kabasweka had a superb outing on the opening day of the 2023 Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Open at the par-72 Kitante Course.

The Tooro Club member, playing off handicap five, scored an impressive 4-under 68 to lead a field of over 40 players in the silver category on Day One.

Kabasweka had a flawless day one, registering 14 pars and 4 birdies to establish a 5-stroke lead over second-placed Iddy Hussein Madina of Tanzania.

“Today, my putting was spot on. Every aspect of my game worked to perfection,” Kabasweka said in the aftermath of the round.

Evah Magala, the winner of the Uganda Golf Club Ladies Open last weekend, is third on the leaderboard having returned 2-over 74. She is six strokes adrift of the overnight leader.

Kenya’s Ashley Awour (74) and Meron Kyomugisha (76) sit 4th and 5th respectively after Round One.

Round Two is on tomorrow (Friday) with the pressure group of Kabasweka, Madina and Magala teeing off just after 1pm.

The 2023 Uganda Open Golf Championship takes center stage this month with the Ladies swinging into action on Thursday, 13th October at par 72 Kitante course.

A huge field from the region and beyond will take the course as the three-day Uganda Ladies Open Golf Championship in its 73rd edition tees off.

Three-time winner (2019, 2020 and 2022) and defending champion Martha Babirye comes into the tournament as one of the favourites as she will be eyeing her fourth title.

She, however, will have to keep an eye on other top local contenders such as Eva Magala who won the 5th edition of the UGC Ladies Open on the same course last weekend, Peace Kabasweka, Judith Komugisha, and Melon Kyomugisha.

Tanzania Ladies Open winner Vicky Elias and countrymate Iddi Madina as well as Kenya’s Martha Nyanchama are some of the top contenders from across the borders.

Alice Kego (12) holds the record for most titles while Flavia Namakula who turned pro comes in second with 5 titles.

Eva Magala smiled to the podium after winning the fifth edition of the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open.

The tournament was a precursor for the prestigious Uganda Ladies Open Golf Championship that will be played from 12th-14th October at the same course.

Magala claimed the open by 3 strokes after returning scores of 75, 78, and 75 for a 12 over par 228 gross.

In the runners-up place was Judith Komugisha who tied with last year’s winner Peace Kabasweka on 15 over par 231 gross.

Two-time winner Martha Babirye finished fourth with scores of 20 over par 236 gross and Harriet Kitaka completed the top 5 with scores of 241 gross.

Meanwhile, Flora Ihunde claimed the Bronze category with a score of 131 nett.

The senior men’s category was won by Moses Turyatemba with 41 points while Jennifer Opio won the Senior Ladies’ crown with 142 nett.

Aggrey Mutaka, Bernard Walimbwa and Nicholas Mandela won Groups A, B and C with scores of 37, 43, and 43 points respectively.

All is set for the fifth edition of the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open that is scheduled for 5th to 7th October 2023.

UGC Ladies Open attracts golfers from all over the country, as well as from neighbouring countries and this year, over 200 players are expected to take part in the three-day event.

“As the host club for the Uganda Open Golf Championship this year, we decided to push our UGC Ladies
Open closer to the main event to give the ladies and golfers coming from upcountry and out of Uganda a
better chance to participate in two Ladies Opens,” Wendy Angudeyo, the UGC Lady Captain said.

“As such, the UGC Ladies Open this year is a curtain raiser to the Uganda Open and we have already registered many ladies, juniors and amateurs for the subsidiary event,” she added.

Over 200 golfers will be participating in the event in different categories including the Ladies Silver category playing over 3 days, the Ladies Bronze category playing over 2 days and the Subsidiary category playing on the final day.

Past Winners

• Peace Kabasweka (2022)
• Martha Babirye (2021 & 2019)
• Irene Nakalembe (2018)

The afternoon rain did not stop the biggest turn-up thus far in the MTN Monthly Tee at Entebbe Golf Club as 205 players took the course on Saturday.

Joseph Bogera, playing off handicap 12, returned to the clubhouse with the best score of 69 nett on count back, to win the September Gong.

“By the time I was on [hole] number 5, I was on the green on time in regulation. The reason we are here is because we are unstoppable,” Bogera, who works with MTN as the Sales and Distribution Manager said at 19-hole that was spiced up by Chenosis, a cross-industry API Marketplace that enables developers, entrepreneurs and businesses to integrate into the fastest growing library of Open APIs.

It should be noted that Bogera is also still vying for the top prize in the Singleton Match Play Challenge and is in the Quarterfinals alongside his partner Kenneth Kiddu.

Other Top Performers

Jude Ochieng was the Group A winner with 70 nett on countback while Herman Mwetemba topped Group B and Brian Cable claimed Group C with 71 nett also on countback.

Susan Knight was the Ladies’ winner with 70 nett, Sean Kinsella topped the Seniors category with 72 nett and the Guest winner was Musa Baguma with a perfect 62 nett.

All Winners

OVERALL WINNER
Joseph Bogera (h/c 12) – 69 nett c/b

WINNER GROUP A
Jude Ochieng (h/c 9) – 70 nett c/b

RUNNER UP
Samson Agamile (h/c 9) – 70 nett c/b

WINNER GROUP B
Herbert Mwetemba (h/c 16) – 69 nett

RUNNER UP
Moses Ssebugwawo (h/c 15) – 70 nett

WINNER GROUP C
Brian Cable (h/c 25) – 71 nett

RUNNER UP
Mathias Kalule (h/c 27) – 71 nett

WINNER LADIES
Susan Knight (h/c 30) – 70 nett

RUNNER UP
Edith Wamalwa (h/c 35) – 71 nett

WINNER SENIORS
Sean Kinsella (h/c 14) – 72 nett

GUEST WINNER
Musa Baguma (h/c 24) – 62 nett

LONGEST DRIVE (MEN)
Anthony Agaba

LONGEST DRIVE (LADIES)
Anne Abeja

NEAREST TO THE PIN (MEN)
Vincent Katutsi

NEAREST TO THE PIN (LADIES)
Bridget Basiima

The MTN Tee of Tees took centre stage on Saturday, 24th June at Entebbe Golf Club with over 175 golfers taking the 18-hole course.

This was the third event since MTN Uganda officially took over the Monthly Tees at Entebbe Club, the oldest golf facility in East Africa.

The event was spiced up by CFAO Motors who staked a brand new Toyota Corolla Cross for a hole-in-one at Hole 10.

By the close of business, Raymond Ekwamu and Annet Nakiyaga were the overall and ladies winners respectively.

Ekwamu, playing off handcap 27, returned a nett score of 68 to top a large field. He played 50 on the back nine and 45 in the front.

Meanwhile, Nakiyaga who has been knocking on the door finally crashed it as she scored 67 nett to top the ladies’ category. Nakiyaga was five strokes ahead of Ritah Apell Akot who returned to the podium again having finished in the same position at the April tournament.

Other Top Performers

Samson Agamile won Group A with a 1-under 70 nett score with Andrew Baguma taking the runners-up spot with 72.

James O’Sullivan edged Adoch Luwum on countback to take top honours in Group B while Club chairman Jacob Byamukaama topped Group C with a course par score and Charles Kabunga was a stroke behind to settle for second place.

Isaac Mariera scored 72 to win the seniors category.

Top Performers

Overall Gross Winner: Raymond Ekwamu – 68

Group A
Winner: Samson Agamile – 70
Runners up: Andrew Baguma – 72 c/b

Group B
Winner: James O’Sullivan – 70 c/b
Runners up: Adoch Luwum – 70

Group C
Winner: Jacob Byamukama – 71
Runners up: Charles Kabunga – 72

Ladies
Winner: Annet Nakiyaga – 67
Runners up: Ritah Apell – 72

Seniors Winner: Isaac Mariera – 72

Guest Winner: Samson Akankiza (Uganda Golf Club) – 66