Can a Ugandan pro golfer win the Uganda Open Professionals event?

Ugandan professional golfers are anticipated to rise to the challenge as the Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open Professionals Championships tee off on Wednesday at the Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club.

The last Ugandan to win this event was Deo Akope, who claimed victory 11 years ago in 2011, marking his second win in a professional event at Kitante. Since that time, various foreign competitors have claimed the title, with Kenyan Dismas Indiza winning it three times.

Additionally, golfers from Zambia have also secured three victories, while Zimbabwe’s Robson Chinhoi has won it twice, and both South African Joshua Seale and Portuguese Stephen Ferreira have each won it once.

Seale, who currently represents Uganda in other competitions, leads a group of former champions participating in this year’s sh150m event at the par-71 championship course, which is hosting the tournament for the first time.

Ronald Rugumayo in action. He says it is all about the mindset going into the open. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Deo Akope spearheads Uganda’s efforts against other former champions, including Kenyans Indiza and Jastas Madoya, as well as Zambian Robson Chinhoi, all vying for the largest prize of sh35m awarded to the overall winner.

Other Ugandan competitors, such as Ronald Rugumayo, Ronald Gaita, and Marvin Kibirige, who successfully ‘made the cut’ alongside Seale in the sh87m SunDev East Africa Swing SportsBiz Africa Championship in Kigali last week, are expected to present a strong challenge in the 72-hole competition.

"It is all about the mindset; you approach such a championship fully aware of your goals, so I am prepared and ready to give it my utmost effort," Rugumayo stated.

Golfers have consistently found the hilly terrain of the course to be challenging, but Gaita, who finished fourth in Rwanda, asserts he is ready for the test.

"My fourth-place finish in Rwanda certainly sets a positive precedent for this championship," Gaita remarked.

"All courses present difficulties, and Lugazi Hills itself is not easy in terms of layout, but it ultimately depends on your mental preparation."

In total, 42 Ugandans, including David Kamulindwa, Silver Opio, Grace Kasango, Herman Mutebi, Ronald Otile, Phillip Kasozi, Fred Wanzala, and Abraham Ainamani, among others, are in contention alongside 12 Zimbabweans, four Nigerians, three Rwandans, 29 Kenyans, and one competitor each from Burundi, Tanzania, and Cameroon.

Long-time competitors such as Fadhyl Nkya, Nyasha Muyambo, Visitor Mapwanya, John Karichu, and Kenneth Bollo, among others, are also in the running for the championship, which has attracted 94 professional players.

Missing in action is the defending champion Zambian John Moore, who is reportedly currently nursing an injury.

As tradition, the top ten players from the amateur event, which ended last week, will also compete in the pros event.