Captain’s Bell tournament and Ugandan pro golfers get absa backing

The Uganda Golf Club (UGC) will from May 5 to 7 be abuzz with professional and amateur golfers in action as they fight it out in the annual Captain’s Bell tournament.

The tournament as per the tradition of the club will usher in incoming UGC captain Emmanuel Wamala and his new executive that include Paul Nuwagaba (vice-captain), Ruth Ssali (secretary), and Patrik Kagoro (treasurer) among others.

The Absa bank, the fully-sponsored event will have the professionals first in action, fighting it out for an increased kitty of sh10m over 36 holes, May 5-6, before the main event on April 7, expected to attract over 200 golfers.

Addressing the press during the launch of the at Kitante on Thursday, Absa Managing Director Mumba Kalifungwa said they had enjoyed a mutually rewarding relationship with the UGC and were back to cement the relationship with a sh57m sponsorship for the event.

absa managing director Mumba Kalifungwa (right) presents a sh57m cheque to UGC Competitions secreatry Paul Rukundo (left), incoming UGC captain Emmnauel Wamala and UPGA Chairman Sadi Atibu for the Captains Bell at Kitante. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“We are on board as the official sponsor of the Captain’s Bell tournament which is a testament to how important this club, this tournament, and this game is to us. Our ethos as absa is to bring possibilities to life and one of the ways we continue to do this is to continue being a strong proponent of sport in Uganda, Africa, and on the world stage,” Kalifungwa who was flanked by Wamala, competitions secretary Paul Rukundo and UPGA chairman Sadi Atibu said.

“Our commitment is that we shall once again sponsor the Uganda Open pro-am tournament and we do intend to split the golfers that we do intend to sponsor to the Magical Kenya Open between 5 amateurs and 5 professionals, as our contribution towards the growth of the sport,”

“We do believe in the value of sport as an avenue in bringing people together. We believe that through these events we can foster the spirit of togetherness in a shared vision to build a better world,” Mumba stated.

He commended the efforts of the outgoing executive for their work, especially during the covid-19 lockdown.

Wamala thanked absa for the partnership and their commitment to golf and promised a memorable, exciting, and successful event. “We believe that with such partners the game we love so much will grow to even greater heights,” Wamala said.

The competition's secretary Rukundo said there will be various prizes up for grabs in the various groups including for the seniors, ladies, and guests.

Atibu said a field of 40 golfers will compete in the professional event with the top ten sharing out the sh10m prize money.