Rugumayo finishes seventh at the Sundev Golf Tour East Africa Swing in Thika
Rugumayo carded an overall 4-over 217 to finish seventh out of the 30 golfers who made the cut and better than Phillip Kasozi and David Kamulindwa, the other Ugandans who partook in the sh57m prize money.
Ronald Rugumayo in action during the Pearl of Africa Golf Series at Entebbe Club, April 4, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Ugandan professional golfer Ronald Rugumayo was the best performer from Uganda as the first official leg of the 2026/27 Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing ended at the Thika Sports Club on Tuesday.
Rugumayo carded an overall 4-over 217 to finish seventh out of the 30 golfers who made the cut and better than Phillip Kasozi and David Kamulindwa, the other Ugandans who partook in the sh57m prize money.
The tournament, which started on April 19, marked the official start of the new season following the successful East and West Africa Qualifying Schools, staged earlier this month in Limuru and Lagos, respectively. The event attracted a strong field of 59 players from eight African countries who battled over three rounds in what was the first time the club hosted the tour with a high-quality field that featured professionals, elite amateurs, juniors, and leading female players, underlining the tour's growing stature as one of Africa’s leading competitive pathways to the Sunshine Tour and global golf opportunities.
Rugumayo opened with a 3-over 74, which he replicated in the second round before wrapping up with a 2-under 69 at the par 71 course. Kasozi finished in a position below after rounds of 74, 72, and 72, while Kamulindwa tied for 17th with John Lejirma, Jastas Madoya, and Sammy Mulama, who all carded 233 after the three rounds.
The other Ugandans, Ronald Otile, Abraham Ainamani, Hussein Bagalana, and Irene Nakalembe, missed the cut in the event won by Rwandan Celestine Nsanzuwera, who won with an overall 4-under 209 in 54 holes, beating Kenyans Samuel Njoroge Chege and Michael Karanga, who both tied for second with 3-under 210.
Kigali Golf Resort & Villas professional Nsanzuwera pocketed the biggest share of the cash (sh11m) as well as 210 Order of Merit points to set the early pace in the season standings.
“I’m very happy to win the first tournament of the season. It was not easy today because there was pressure, especially over the closing holes, but I stayed focused and trusted myself,” Nsanzuwera, who also won the inaugural event last year, said.
“Winning early in the season gives me confidence and momentum. My goal now is to keep working hard and remain consistent in the coming events.” Nsazuwera told the press after the event.
Rugumayo will now head south to compete in the Betway Big Easy Blu Label Unlimited Invitational 2 at the Heron Banks Golf & River Estate in South Africa, April 28-30. The players are also competing for valuable Official World Golf Ranking points and crucial Order of Merit points in the standings.
Top ten
Celestine Nsanzuwera (RWA) 70 68 71 209
Samuel Njoroge (KEN) 69 73 68 210
Michael Karanga (KEN) 71 69 70 210
Mohit Mediratta (KEN) 73 69 72 214
Greg Snow (KEN) 73 74 68 215
Nuru Morell (TZ) 72 71 73 73 216
Ronald Rugumayo (UG) 74 74 69 217
Phillip Kasozi (UG) 74 72 72 218
Junaid Manji (a-KEN) 75 77 67 219
Edwin Mudanyi (KEN) 73 72 74 219