Tanzanian Iddy Madina defends the UGC Ladies Open at Kitante

 Iddy Madina is determined to defend her Johnnie Walker Uganda Open Golf Championship ladies title after claiming her second Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open title at Kitante on Saturday.

The scratch player carded an overall 11-over 227 over 54 holes to claim the overall trophy and the biggest share of the prize money.

She beat Ugandan Judith Komugisha to the championship by three strokes to claim her third consecutive ladies' title in Uganda. Meron Kyomugisha (240), Martha Babirye (245), and Gloria Mbaguta (248) finished third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

Kenya Airways' Rosette Nassuna (left), Windsor Golf Hotel General Manager James Rattos (second left) and UGC Captain Paul Rukundo (right) reward Iddy Madina after the UGC Ladies Open at Kitante. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Drawing from her 23-year golfing experience, the top Tanzanian lady golfer, who this year has also won the Zambia and Ghana Ladies Opens, led the Equity Bank-sponsored event from start to finish, having opened with a level par 72, which she followed with a 3-over 75, before wrapping up the victory with an 80 following an afternoon downpour that changed the conditions of play.

“I feel good defending the title. Initially I wasn’t sure I would come, but at the last minute I decided to come and try to defend it, and here I am,” said Madina, who won an all-expense paid trip and two-night stay for two in a studio suite (B&B) at Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club in Nairobi.

“The first two rounds the greens were rolling nicely and smoothly, but after the rain, the judgement became complicated, and that caused issues because I rarely play in the rain.”

I was one over after hole five in the last round, but after the rain everything changed, but I’m glad that I have won. There is always pressure against such good players,” Madina stated.

“My challengers Martha, Judith, and Meron are really good players, but I just decided to focus on my game and kept my ball on the fairway, and that is how I have made it. I didn’t touch any rough, but I had a few challenges with my putting in the last round,” she noted. Madina will briefly fly out but intends to return and also defend her Uganda Open title, a title she claimed last year after winning the same tournament.

Joseph Cwinyaai topped the gross amateur men’s competition with an 8-under 208 over three rounds, ahead of Charles Mulyanga and Juma Abiti, who tied for second, ten strokes away, and ahead of Morris Ashaba (220), Dominic Bukenya, and Peter Tumusiime, who tied for fifth with 221.

The different winners pose with the sponsors' representatives after the UGC Ladies Open at Kitante, August 16, 2025. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

This year's event also featured a wider range of competitive categories, including professional golfers, ladies bronze, juniors, a subsidiary tournament, and a caddie’s tournament. These were won by Ronald Rugumayo, Angel Kaya, Joweria Namanda, Danelle Kawalya, and Lucas Kimara and Bruce Gomushabe, respectively. Robert Lim Lim and Katy Kabenge were the best senior golfers.

Co-sponsors of the event included King Ceasor University, Kenya Airways, Fresh Dairy, Wandaz Products Ltd, Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Pepsi, Fresh Diary, Johnnie Walker, DT Logistics, Ekspreso, PGM, Windsor Golf Club, Chandaria Group, Green Leaf Motors, Uganda Ladies Golf Union, Civil Aviation Authority, and Medisell Uganda.

Top ten

Iddy Madina 72 75 80 227

Judith Komugisha 72 79 79 230

Meron Kyomugisha 79 80 81 240

Martha Babirye 73 84 88 245

Gloria Mbaguta 82 82 84 248

Lillian Koowe 83 82 84 249

Berna Musanabera 79 85 88 252

Sylivie Irakoze 81 92 80 253

Hadijah Nampijja 80 82 91 253

Harriet Kitaka 84 84 86 254