Absa reaffirms commitment to Uganda Golf Open with sh300m sponsorship

Ugandan amateur and professional golfers can look forward to another opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the world's best golfers at next year's Magical Kenya Open, after Absa Bank maintained its sponsorship of the Uganda Open Absa Pro-Am tournament, due September 1 at Kitante.

On Monday, Billy Bisanga, head of client and digital marketing at Absa Bank Uganda, presented a sh300m cheque to tournament director Paul Rukundo and Uganda Golf Union (UGU) president Jackson Were during the launch of the five-in-one event.

The 2026 Uganda Golf Open will officially tee off on August 13, bringing together Uganda's top golfers and regional competitors across various categories of play.

The Pro-Am, a precursor to the professionals' open, will bring leading amateur golfers and professional players together in a unique competitive format.

Bisanga said the bank's investment is designed to drive long-term player development and elevate the competitive standards of Ugandan golf.

"Our partnership with the Uganda Golf Open reflects Absa's long-term commitment to growing the game and creating opportunities for Ugandan golfers to reach the next level," he said. "Through the Absa Pro-Am, we are creating a platform where amateur and professional golfers can compete alongside one another while opening pathways to international exposure through the Magical Kenya Open, one of Africa's premier tournaments on the DP World Tour. Over the past six years, more than 60 Ugandan golfers have benefited from this experience, returning with valuable lessons and exposure that continue to raise the standard of golf in Uganda. We are proud to continue investing in a platform that develops talent, inspires excellence, and positions Uganda's golfers to compete on the regional and international stage."

As part of this year's tournament, up to 10 outstanding performers from the Absa Pro-Am will earn fully sponsored opportunities to attend the next edition of the Magical Kenya Open.

Priority will be given to the leading qualifying professionals, with any remaining slots allocated to the top-performing amateurs.

This initiative provides Ugandan golfers with a chance to experience one of Africa's premier golfing events and gain exposure to world-class competition.

UGU president Jackson Were welcomed the continued support, saying, "Strong partnerships are essential to the growth of golf, and Absa has demonstrated that commitment consistently over the past seven years. Their support has helped elevate the Uganda Golf Open while creating opportunities for Ugandan golfers to gain international exposure through the Magical Kenya Open. Those experiences are invaluable for player development and contribute to raising the standard of competitive golf in Uganda. We are grateful for Absa's continued partnership and look forward to another successful edition of the Uganda Golf Open."

The Absa Pro-Am has become a key feature of the Uganda Golf Open, strengthening the connection between amateur and professional golf while creating opportunities for knowledge sharing, mentorship, and international exposure for Uganda's emerging talent.

Beyond the sport, the Uganda Golf Open continues to contribute to Uganda's tourism, hospitality, and service sectors while providing a valuable platform for business networking and regional sporting collaboration.

In February, Kenneth Tumusiime, Darwin Angundri, Joshua Odongo, Hellen Lunkuse, and Alex Wandera soaked up new lessons and pure joy as they played their rounds shoulder to shoulder with seasoned professionals at Nairobi's Karen Golf Club.