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For the first time, the Stanbic Entebbe Match Play Golf Championship could not end as planned as torrential rains descended on the course eating up about four hours of playing time at Entebbe Club on Saturday.

Golfers had turned in their hundreds eager to swing and enjoy as usual but Mother Nature decided that was a day for ‘natural irrigation’ of the course, which prompted the cancellation of the day’s action.

There were so many interruptions that necessitated stoppages as the heavy rain flooded the greens with only a few golfers out of the over 200 able to play some holes.

“I made a call to cancel the subsidiary event because the rains were continuously coming down and the course wasn’t fit to play as the greens were holding some water,” Entebbe Club captain Serwano Walusimbi said.

“The course can drain fast but because of the numbers and the time we had it wasn’t feasible for the golfers to have a complete round and/or complete their games so I called to stop the subsidiary. This was for the safety of the players and the integrity of the game and for the match-play we only had the early morning groupings going out.

“Those who were already on the course continued to play until where they could stop and others decided not to play at all and we have given them up to April 21 to complete their rounds. Others will start from where they stopped,” Serwano stated.

But some early birds in the match-play competition managed to make it through advancing to the second round where they will be awaiting opponents from the uncompleted rounds.

Hillary Ndugutse/Mark Namanya registered one of the easiest wins on the day eliminating Dinah Ongol/Jimmy Adiga 7&6 (by 7 holes with six to go) in one of the completed matches, while Michael Bironse/Kevin Ninyesiga beat Ivan Arinaitwe/Michael Koima 5&3.

The ladies' pair of Lillian Koowe/Joyce Kisembo beat Ruth Mugisha/Berna Musanabera 5&3 as that of Peace Kabasweka/Harriet Kitaka eliminated Alex Nkuyahaga/Jude Ochieng by two holes (2up).

Eric Katwebaze/Evelyn Natukunda beat Stephen Magero/Lony Akena 5&4; Timothy Mwanda/Ssubi Kiwanuka beat Michael Odur/ Brian Manyindo 3&1 while Sam Kacungira/Vincent Katutsi beat Allan Muhereza/Peter Magona 1UP.

The second-round draws that were held thereafter pitted Hillary Ndugutse/Mark Namanya against Timothy Mwanda/Ssubi Kiwanuka next month while Lillian Koowe/Joyce Kisembo will take on the winner between the pairs of Charles Kabunga/Bridget Basiima versus Henry Ssaka/Patricia Nakasi.

Michael Bironse/Kevin Ninyesiga who also went through in the first round will wait for the winners of the David Keegi/Sammy Migunda versus Milton Edimu/Henry Nsubuga clash.

Peace Kabasweka/Harriet Kitaka will also wait on the winner between Twinemanzi Tumubweinee/Robbins Muheirwe versus Dean Kateeba/Raymond Ekwamu, among other matches next month.

Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka and former Entebbe club chairman Innocent Kihiika conduct the draws for the second round, on April 6, 2024. (All Photos by Michael Nsubuga)

Not interrupted was the 19th hole which went on as planned with golfers enjoying a sumptuous meal, discounted drinks, and some goodies from sponsors Stanbic.
The annual event is co-sponsored by DStv for Business, CFAO Motors, Uganda Airlines, and UBL.

Round 2 draws

The winner of the clash between William Esuma/Anne Abeja vs Collins Nuwagira/Collins Kasozi will take on the winner between Daniel Opwonya/Peter Wakholi versus Robert Ejiku/Samson Agamire.

·         Michael Bironse/Kevin Ninyesiga will verse the winners of the David Keegi/Sammy Migunda against Milton Edimu/Henry Nsubuga.

·         Peace Kabasweka/Harriet Kitaka will entertain Twinemanzi Tumubweinee/Robbins Muheirwe v Dean Kateeba/Raymond Ekwamu.

·         Casper Ociru/Ronald Osekeny versus Nelson Musinguzi/Rukia Nalwoga against Tony Ojok/Picole Lukyamuzi and Peter Kagumya/Jacob Byamukama

·         Sam Kacungira/Vincent Katutsi will take on the winners of the clash between Collins Aritua/George Afi versus George Bamulinde/Tarzan Lubega

·         Kin Kariisa/John Basabose versus Edward Nyatia/Stephen Kabugo against Paul Nsereko/Patrick Mugisha v Herbert Kamuntu/Stephen Ojambo

·         Sean Kinsella/Dejan Stepanovic and Joseph Kimani/Ignatius Twesigye versus Andrew Kibaya/Edward Kabuchu against Diana Nabukenya/Maureen Okura

·         Herbert Olowo/Albert Gita v Richard Mugisha/Phillip Kazibwe versus Sarah Nduhukire/Dennis Kahindi versus Marvin Kagoro/Oscar Semawere.

·         Andrew Baguma/Peter Apell v Paul Habyarimana/Richard Oluka versus Walter Tukahirwa/Lambert Tumwesigye v Ashavin Kananathan/Moses Matsiko

·         Emmanuel Lwanga/Vincent Asiimwe and Victor Walusimbi/Sam Bulenzi versus Moses Adrume/Arthur Kiwanuka v Elly Mukasa/Kiryowa Kiwanuka

·         Edgar Muzahura/Ali Jjuuko v Moses Ssebugwawo/Charles Odere against Brian Rwabwogo/Michael Tumusiime v Nicholas Kebba/Edwin Baguma

·         Shaban Ramathan/Charles Mubiru v Anthony Agaba/Yunus Bbaale against Daniel Muwooya/James Okema v Collins Taremwa/Peace Hellen

·         Charles Kabunga/Bridget Basiima v Henry Ssaka/Patricia Nakasi against Lillian Koowe/Joyce Kisembo

·         Richard Mucunguzi/Saidi Twijukye v Drake Tukamuhabwe/Andrew Muhwezi versus Patrick Ndase/Philimon Akatuhurira against Tonny Kisadha/Richard Mwami

·         Timothy Mwanda/Ssubi Kiwanuka v Hillary Ndugutse/Mark Namanya

·         Joseph Bagabo/Apollo Segawa v Mathias Kalule/John Ssebuliba against Eris Katwebaze/Evelyn Natukunda