Tiger Birungi set free

By Douglas Mazune Former national golf champion Stephen ‘Tiger Woods’ Birungi (pictured far right) has been set free after serving a one year ban. Uganda Golf Union (UGU) general secretary Nicholas Okwir told The New Vision yesterday that Birungi can now compete in Uganda after serving a ban imposed on him by the union. The three times winner of the prestigious 72-holes Uganda Open tournament was banned in November last for cheating. He altered his scorecard in a club event in Entebbe. “As far as the union (UGU) is concerned Birungi is now free,” Okwir said. Okwir added; “But if he still has problems with his club, then it is up to him to sort it out.” Birungi is still serving a ban by Uganda Golf Club for indiscipline. The youthful golfer in 1987 at 17 years scrapped through a strong field of top players in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to win the Uganda Open. He was a caddie by then. The dominant golfer, who commands big following, was missed at this year’s edition of the tournament won by his rival Deo Akope. While serving the ban Birungi took to boxing and featured in the Uganda Amateur Boxing Federation (UABF) junior championship where he was stopped at the quarterfinals. ends