Akena wins 2024 Lugazi Sugar Centenary Golf tournament

Reagan Joseph Akena emerged victorious at the 2024 Lugazi Sugar Centenary Golf Tournament, securing the win at the newly refurbished Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club. 

Competing against a field of over 100 male players, Akena's impressive performance earned him the top spot with a gross score of 213 strokes after three days of competition.

His rounds included a 69 on day one, 70 on day two, and 74 on the final day, resulting in a level par finish. Akena attributed his success to his experience on the course and thorough preparation.

The prize-giving ceremony, held on Saturday, was presided over by Mahindra Metha, the Chairman of the Sugar Corporation of Uganda at Lugazi, who expressed his admiration for Akena’s achievement and rewarded him with an undisclosed cash token to support his future golfing ambitions. Metha also took the opportunity to acknowledge the significant contributions of various sponsors, including Mandela Group of Companies, Plascon, UBL, and Vivo, and praised the support of the Uganda Golf Union (UGU) and other stakeholders in upgrading the course from a 9-hole to an 18-hole facility, which is now the largest on the continent.

Prince David Wasajja awards one of the winners at the Lugazi Sugar Centenary Golf tournament. Photo: Silvnao Kibuuka)

During the ceremony, Metha highlighted the success of Lugazi's junior golf program, which has produced national champions like Godfrey Nsubuga, and noted the remarkable improvement in the skills of young players. "An 11-year-old can now hit the ball four times further than I could when I played," he remarked, emphasizing continued support for youth development.

In addition to Akena's victory, the top three male and female players in the gross category were all from Lugazi, further showcasing the strength of the local talent pool. Akena, who is currently an S5 student at Juliana SSS Lugazi, thanked Metha for his recognition and expressed his ambition to stay at the top of Uganda’s golf scene.

UGU President Jackson Were also made an announcement at the event, revealing that the 2025 Uganda Golf Open will be hosted at Lugazi Hills. He commended the course for its suitability in hosting major tournaments, even mentioning its potential to host a DP World Tour event, contingent on the creation of an open range. He also thanked MP John Byabagambi for his role in promoting the tournament and acknowledged the contribution of junior players to the national team’s successes at continental and world championships.

The tournament's prize distribution included not only trophies for the top amateur gross and net winners but also a variety of prizes such as sugar, bags, and gas cylinders for both men and women.

Winners of Lugazi Centenary golf:

Gross Winners Men:

1. Reagan Akena 213 Gross

2. Joseph Kanonera 219

3. Ibrahim Semakula 221

Gross Winners Women:

1. Winnie Musuya 261

2. Loyce Bako 275

3. Julia Nampewo 277

Group A Men:

1. Ashiraf Kalule 75 Net

2. Damian Asiimwe 76

3. Anselm Owenyi 78

Group B Men:

1. Harry Hakiza 66 Net

2. Kemis Lutajani 71

3. James Abiria 74c/b

Group C Men:

1. Arafat Kakaire 64Net

2. Eddy Okira 68 Net

3. Michael Andama 69

Group A Women:

1. Sarah Nduhukire 76 Net

2. Annette Kiconco 96

3. Evelyne Atukunda 98

Group B Women:

1. LinnetAnyango 75 Net

2. Olivia Nakuya 80

3. Sharon Kawanyi 82

Longest drive:

Men- Elton Tembo

Women-Joyce Bako

Nearest to the pin:

Men – Joseph Kanonela

Women- L. Hasshita