Akope still the man to beat at the Uganda Open

Despite missing the cut last year, Deo Akope is still the man to beat as the Tusker Malt Lager professionals event tees off at Kitante on Tuesday.

Akope has been the most successful Ugandan professional in the open over the years and recently beat the rest of the Ugandan field to the biggest share of sh15m at the Mbarara Open last month.

And he is determined to repeat his 2014 heroics where he emerged winner with 281 gross, though he has had to battle a recurring hip injury he sustained in a car accident about a year ago.

"I'm feeling much better from the pain and I think I have rested enough. Last year I had a lot of managerial issues I was involved in prior to our event and couldn't even practice that much," Akope said.

"This year was good because we had two weeks in between but unfortunately I lost this week due to the injury, but am all good to go having met an advanced neuromuscular therapist who has done a great job," Akope stated as he prepared for a round with South African Joshua Seale on Sunday.

Uganda's Herman Mutaawe, Phillip Kasozi, Willy Kitata, Saidi Mawa, Fred Wanzala, Godfrey Mande, Opio Onito and Brian Toolit are the only ones who had a share of the sh100m last year and will also be playing for the top positions where the big money is.

Apart from the over sh23m the overall winner of the pro's event will take; an all-expense paid trip to Abu Dhabi courtesy of Etihad Airways is also on the card for the winner. A brand new

Chevrolet Trailblazer also awaits a player who will achieve the rare feat of a hole-in-one shot.

A curtain raiser pro-am event sponsored by Sheraton Hotel and UG BOSS sets the event in motion on Tuesday with the pros playing alongside over 100 amateurs.