Grace Kasango and Patricia Mbabazi led the individual standings as the Absa Pro-Am served up a colourful prelude to the 2026 Uganda Professional Open while shining a brighter light on the future of the sport on Tuesday.
Kasango topped the professionals with 42 points, edging national star Ronald Rugumayo by one, while Nigeria’s Andrew Oche Odoh completed the professional podium with 40 points.
Mbabazi matched Kasango’s 42 points to emerge the best individual amateur, ahead of Isaiah Tugumenawe and Eddie Okila, who both returned 41.
But beyond the individual honours, the Pro-Am carried a more important message: Uganda’s professional golf is growing, and the people behind the sport want the pathway to become wider.
Growing professional ranks
Absa Uganda Managing Director David Wandera was particularly proud of the increase in the number of professionals taking up the game, promising that the sponsor’s prize kitty will continue to improve to keep golfers motivated.
And there is a tangible reward beyond yesterday’s leaderboard.
The best five professionals and five amateurs will be facilitated by Absa to play at the Magical Kenya Open (MKO) Pro-Am early next year, giving Uganda’s golfers another opportunity to test themselves in a stronger regional field.
Wandera said the professionals remain the priority, although the slots can pass to the leading amateurs if the eligible professionals do not qualify for the MKO.
The opportunity is significant because it takes the Pro-Am beyond a one-day corporate tournament and into the development pipeline for Ugandan golf.
The three leading teams’ professionals also shared Shs8m in prize money.
The winning Dew Sweepers team of Ugandan pro Ronald Rugumayo, Paul Nuwagaba, Collins Nuwagira and Diana Nabukenya scored 109 points to claim Shs3.5m, with each of the amateur members also receiving an Absa golf stand bag, a sleeve of Titleist Pro V1 balls and an Absa-branded water bottle.
Johnnie Walker 1 finished second on 108 points after a countback and took Shs2m, while NBS Sport 4 also scored 108 points to finish third and collect Shs2.5m.
Government joins the drive
The Pro-Am also attracted a powerful message from the government.
Chief Guest and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa said the government is deliberately and intentionally preparing to invest more money in golf, while also improving facilities to make Uganda more attractive to major tournaments.
He further indicated that the government wants to have a say in prize funds for major events, pointing to Kenya’s support of the Magical Kenya Open as a model Uganda can learn from.
The pledge could prove important at a time when the Uganda Golf Open is seeking to grow its competitive and commercial appeal.
Uganda Golf Union (UGU) president Jackson Were, meanwhile, praised Absa for continuing to support the sport and, particularly, for giving young golfers room to tell their development ‘stories that matter’ as they build careers.
That message fits neatly with the Pro-Am’s expanding role.
For amateurs, it offers exposure to professionals. For the professionals, it provides competition, rewards and an opportunity to mentor the next generation. For sponsors, it offers a platform to invest in sporting journeys rather than simply a one-day event.
Spectacular stuff
The event also had its moments of individual brilliance.
Nelson Ojwiya aced the fourth hole using a Callaway Jaws 52, while Chibale produced another hole-in-one on the 17th with a pitching wedge.
Chibale’s ace was witnessed by Absa chairman Keith Kalyegira, Kasango and Ghanaian golfer Lucky Ayisah.
The two hole-in-ones added a touch of theatre to a Pro-Am that increasingly looks like much more than a pre-Open warm-up.
HOLE-IN-ONE UTILITY
ACES
1. Nelson Ojwiya – Hole No.4
Club: Callaway Jaws 52
2. Gabrile Chibale (Zambia) – Hole No.17
Club: Pitching wedge
Special Prize: 60-minute full-body massage by Healing Hands.
THE TALKING POINT
Future Focus. The real prize at the Absa Pro-Am went beyond yesterday’s trophies. Absa will facilitate the top five professionals and five amateurs for the Magical Kenya Open Pro-Am early next year, while government says it wants to put more money into golf and improve facilities to attract bigger tournaments. For Uganda’s golfers, the message was clear: the fairway ahead is getting wider.
ABSA PRO-AM RESULTS
Top Five Professionals
1. Grace Kasango (UGA) 42 points
2. Ronald Rugumayo (UGA) 41
3. Andrew Oche Odoh (NGA) 40
4. Gabrile Chibale (ZAM) 39
5. Abbey Bagalana (UGA) 38
Top 10 Amateurs
1. Patricia Mbabazi 42 points
2. Isaiah Tugumenawe 41
3. Eddie Okila 41
4. Godwill Bindeeba 40
5. Peace Musisi 39
6. Angelo Wasike 39
7. Charles Lutwama 38
8. Dickson Agaba 38
9. Allan Atuhairwe 38
10. Charity Nabwire 38
TEAM RESULTS – TOP THREE
1. Dew Sweepers – 109pts
Ronald Rugumayo (PRO), Paul Nuwagaba, Collins Nuwagira, Diana Nabukenya
Prize: Shs3.5m + Absa golf stand bags, Titleist Pro V1 balls and water bottles.
2. NBS Sport 4 – 108pts c/b
Abbey Bagalana (PRO), Michael Bironse, Godwill Bindeeba, Joseph Luyima
Prize: Shs2.5m + Absa duffel bags, Titleist Pro V1 balls and water bottles.
3. Johnnie Walker 1 – 108pts c/b
Fon Pristhy (PRO), Darius Mugisha, Jennifer Opio, Annita Amumpaire
Prize: Shs2m + Absa shoe bags and water bottles.