By now, Uganda Golf Union (UGU) and its partners feel they unearthed something when the five-in-one Uganda Golf Open was tried out of familiar spots at the Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club last year.
The championship previously rotated between Uganda Golf Club (UGC), Entebbe Club and the Lake Victoria Serena Resort and Spa.
To go to Lugazi in Buikwe district, somewhere unusually out of the Kampala Metropolitan Area, UGU’s partners raised a core sponsorship of about Shs1b to fit logistical costs and unfamiliar metrics to stage the show.
Yet ahead of the 2026 edition, the value of the sponsorship has been maintained even though the Uganda Open is set to return UGC at Kitante over the next five weeks.
It comes after title sponsors Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) under brand Johnnie Walker (JW) announced a Shs650m package for the five-in-one show set to run from August 13 to September 11 at the par-72 course in Kampala.
‘Golf is more than a sport. It’s a sport that allows us to connect with our consumers, to bring different experiences together and have a great time on and off the course,’ Johnnie Walker East Africa brand manager Christine Kyokunda said during the press launch on Monday.
‘Our continued investment in the Johnnie Walker Uganda Open is about supporting a platform that brings together talent, ambition and opportunity, while creating an experience that Ugandans and visitors can connect with,’ UBL commercial director Edward Kimathi explained.
The Open is back at Kitante for the first time since 2023 and the premium blended Scotch whisky brand Johnnie Walker seeks to offer a promise of a new camaraderie.
‘Something that you’ve not seen before, that you’ve not done before. We will be able to give you an amazing experience, think about it in fashion, music, art and the game of golf, all meeting in one space. That will be something different and we are looking forward to that,’ she added.
A part of the JW package will cater for the tier package prize moneys on cards. ‘I am particularly impressed that this year, Johnnie Walker still bounced back as a strategic partner, the main sponsor and all the other sponsors,’ said UGU president Jackson Were.
‘This year, the professionals will play for Shs150m. There has been a great improvement for the amateurs, they will be playing for Shs15m and the ladies are playing for Shs10m. This is a good experience to carry forward,’ he added before later announcing top players will be a part.’
Despite the changing weather from dry to wet, UGC is working to manage the course which will attract about 600 players in total for the 76th Ladies Open teeing-off tomorrow, the 6th Seniors Open due August 21-22 and the 85th Uganda Amateur Open which runs from August 25-28.
All that will be followed by the 21st Professional Open from September 2-5 whereas the Juniors Open wraps it up from September 9-11.
‘Uganda’s premier golfing spectacle,’ UGC captain Paul Rukundo, who is also the tournament director, described the championship. ‘Our Uganda Golf Club on its pristine fairways will serve as the battle ground for five weeks of consecutive world class championship golf,’ he added.
Meanwhile, Absa Bank Uganda announced a Shs300m sponsorship package for the Pro-Am leg due September 1, one which brings together top amateur golfers and professional players in a unique competitive format.
‘We are glad to be part of this event for the seventh year running and we are happy to have maintained our sponsorship for the second year running,’ remarked Absa’s head of client and digital marketing Billy Bisanga.
‘We’ve been able to leverage this local property to provide our golfers an opportunity to participate in the DP World Tour activity which is the Magical Kenya Open and once again, we commit that we should be able to send 10 golfers to participate in the MKO in 2027,’ he added.
Expected to attract classy players from different clubs within the country, the region and beyond, the Open is also supported by MTN Uganda, Crown Beverages, Pearl Marina, Case Medical Services and Rose Foam among others.
CAST OF UGANDA AMATEUR OPEN WINNERS
2025: Joseph Cwinyaai (UGA)
2024: Reagan Joseph Akena (UGA)
2023: Godfrey Nsubuga (UGA)
2022: Andrew Ssekibejja (UGA)
2021: Joseph Cwinyaai (UGA)
2020: John Lejirma (KEN)
2019: Daniel Nduva (KEN)
2018: Ronald Otile (UGA)
2017: Ronald Rugumayo (UGA)
2016: Ronald Otile (UGA)
2015: Ronald Otile (UGA)
2014: Willy Deus Kitata (UGA)
2013: Peter Ssendawula (UGA)
2012: Phillip Kasozi (UGA)
2011: Rogers Byaruhanga (UGA)
2010: Brian Mwesigwa (UGA)
2009: Peter Ssendawula (UGA)
2008: George Olayo (UGA)
2007: Nicholas Rokoine (KEN)
2006: Amos Kamya (UGA)
2005: Charles Yokwe (UGA)
UGANDA LADIES OPEN
CAST OF CHAMPIONS
2025: Mercy Nyachama (KEN)
2024: Iddy Madina (TAZ)
2023: Peace Kabasweka (UGA)
2022: Martha Babirye (UGA)
2021: Irene Nakalembe (UGA)
2020: Martha Babirye (UGA)
2019: Martha Babirye (UGA)
2018: Neema Olomi (TAZ)
2017: Angel Eaton (TAZ)
2016: Flavia Namakula (UGA)
2015: Flavia Namakula (UGA)
2014: Flavia Namakula (UGA)
2013: Angel Eaton (TAZ)
2012: Angel Eaton (TAN)
2011: Flavia Namakula (UGA)
2010: Flavia Namakula (UGA)
2009: Jasper Kamukama (UGA)
2008: Melissa Nawa (ZAM)
2007: Mary Karano (KEN)
2006: Mary Karano (KEN)
2005: Sophie Viggo (TAZ)
2004: Rose Naliaka (KEN)
2003: Esther Okullo (UGA)
CAST OF UGANDA PRO OPEN WINNERS
2025: Celestin Nsanzuwera (RWA)
2024: Dayne Moore (ZAM)
2023: Dismas Indiza (KEN)
2022: Robson Chinhoi (ZIM)
2021: Jastas Madoya (KEN)
2020: Robson Chinhoi (ZIM)
2019: Muthiya Madalisto (ZAM)
2018: Dismas Indiza (KEN)
2017: Stephen Ferreira (POR)
2016: Joshua Seale (RSA)
2015: Muthiya Madalitso (ZAM)
2014: Deo Akope (UGA)
2013: Vincent Byamukama (UGA)
2012: Dismas Indiza (KEN)
2011: Dismas Indiza (KEN)
2010: Jean Baptiste Hakizimana (RWA)
2009: Richard Ainley (KEN)
2008: Dismas Indiza (KEN)
2007: Dismas Indiza (KEN)
2006: Deo Akope (UGA)
2022 UGANDA GOLF OPEN
TOURNAMENT NOTEBOOK
Dates: Aug 11 – Sept 13
Venue: Uganda Golf Club
Location: Acacia Avenue, Kampala
Size: Par-72
Expected field: 600 players
Pros’ kitty: Shs150m
Sponsors: Uganda Breweries (Johnnie Walker), Absa Bank, MTN Uganda, National Council of Sports, Uganda Airlines, UTB, Crown Beverages, Pearl Marina, Case Medical Services, Rose Foam, Medisell Uganda Ltd, NCS, R and A, International Golf Federation
RUN OF OPEN EVENTS
76th Ladies Open: August 13-15
6th Seniors Open: August 21-22
85th Amateur Open: August 25-28
Pro-Am: September 1
21st Professional Open: September 2-5
Juniors Open: September 9-11
2025 UGANDA GOLF OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
THE WINNERS ROTA PER EVENT/EDITION
75th Ladies Stroke-play Open: Mercy Nyachama (Kenya)
5th Seniors Open: David Plenderleith and Catherine Pavie
84th Amateur Open: Joseph Cwinyaai (Uganda)
Absa Bank Pro-Am: Vincent Byamukama (Rwanda)
20th Professionals Open: Celestin Nsanzuwera (Rwanda)