For the latest breed of golfers, John Paul Waigo is not a familiar name. But, Waigo once led the national amateur golf as captain.
His memory is still fresh, he won the country’s first piece of silverware – at the East Africa Golf Challenge – on home soil at Uganda Golf Club (UGC) in 2001.
Waigo then led a team which comprised players like Deo Akope, George Olayo, the late Charles Yokwe, Sadi Onito, Denis Anguyo, Steven Kasaija, Gadi Musasizi, and Stephen Katwiremu among others.
At the weekend, Waigo returned to play a competitive round of golf after a half-a-decade absence and his craft is still as good as when he was a single handicapper.
He emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 Seniors Golf Open at UGC in Kitante with a best score of 136 nett after 36 holes of action. ‘This one is very good because it shows that actually, I still have that touch,’ a thrilled Waigo, now 74 years old, said.
‘I went back on the range and did my practice, got back my tricks and it worked. I had not played for about five years,’ said the man who played off zero.
‘When I went on the range and I hit a few balls, Sadi (Atibu) said ‘things are still okay’,’ he happily added.
Unlike Waigo, Edrae Kagombe who emerged the overall seniors female winner with 129 nett off handicap 22 at the par-72 course, is a more active player.
Kagombe did not only win a third Seniors Open title but also ably defended her crown. ‘I play daily,’ said the 66-year-old whose handicap at Mbarara Golf Club drops to 13.
Often on course with her husband Charles Kagombe in recent years, Edrae has played golf for 18 years. ‘It helps us in our age. It is an exercise, we interact with other people from other places,’ she said before revealing the secret.
‘My strength is always on the fairways, I don’t go off. I play a short game but I stay on the fairways,’ she added.
This annual championship was staged by the Uganda Seniors Golfing Society with financial backing from Uganda Civil Aviation Authority.
2025 UGANDA SENIORS GOLF OPEN
Overall Winner (M): John Paul Waigo 136 nett
Overall Winner (L): Edrae Kagombe 129 nett
Gross Winner (M): John Muchiri 162 gross
Gross Winner (L): Katy Kabenge 175 gross
SENIORS WINNERS (MEN)
Gold (75yrs +) Winner: Kaka Matama 141 nett
Silver (65-74yrs) Winner: William Bizibu 138 nett
Bronze (55-64yrs) Winner: Eric du Plesis 137 nett
SENIORS WINNERS (LADIES)
Gold (65yrs +) Winner: Regina Ddamulira 143 nett
Silver (55-64yrs) Winner: Caroline Karungi 140 nett
LONGEST DRIVE
Senior Men: Elijah Lutu
Senior Ladies: Grace Mayian
Men: Drey Alexander
Ladies: Joyce Kisembo
NEAREST TO THE PIN
Senior Men: Elijah Luttu
Senior Ladies: Edrae Kagombe
Men: Joseph Adrapi
Ladies: Lillian Koowe