Cwinyaai grabs all-expense-paid trip to play in cccc grand finale

Joseph Cwinyaai carded an overall 2-under 70 to win the first Uganda leg of the 2026 NCBA Golf Series, held at the Uganda Golf Club (UGC), Kitante, on Saturday.

Cwinyaii, who plays off a handicap of +3, edged second-placed John Musiimenta (71 gross) to the top prize by a stroke, to also top the men’s Division A, in the one-day event that attracted over 200 golfers.

The national team player consequently became the first of two winners from Uganda to enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Nairobi to compete in the grand finale, to be played at the Muthaiga Golf Club in November. 

Joseph Cwinyaai and Martha Babirye (front) and NCBA Bank CEO Mark Muyobo (3rd left-back) pose with the rest of the winners after the first leg of the NCBA Golf Series at Kitante, June 13, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The series is played in 22 golf clubs across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. The second winner will emerge from the Entebbe Club leg in October.

“It was easy and good, normal as usual. I’m preparing to compete in the US Open next month, so this was like one of my practice rounds since I will be tussling it out with the big boys,” Cwinyaai said. 

“So, I give myself credit for not giving up and also playing well and thanks to the team behind my performance. Come July, I will be ready to go and make my country proud. I appreciate NCBA and what they have done, and I can’t wait to also go and shine with them at the grand finale,” Cwinyaai stated. 

Gilbert Asiimwe finished third overall with 75 gross, beating UPDF’s Aggrey Mutaka, who finished fourth overall, on count-back. Martha Babirye’s 77 was the best overall gross score among the ladies, three strokes better than Judith Komugisha’s 80. 

Ashwin Patel topped the men’s Division 2 of the handicap 13-24 with 62 nett, while Zhang Fangyi took the ladies' prize in the same category, having scored 68nett. Peter Oola was the best in the men’s Division 3 with 70 nett. Sean Kusasira Nsereko, Raymond Ekwamu, and Olivia Nakuya were the other winners on the day, taking the junior, guest and staff winners' prizes with 80, 66 and 68 nett respectively. 

NCBA Bank CEO Mark Muyobo (left) presents prizes to Martha Babirye as UGC captain Brian Rwabwogo looks on after the first leg of the NCBA Golf Series Uganda legs at Kitante, June 13, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Mark Muyobo, the CEO of NCBA Bank, said the Series was born in 2022, out of their desire to develop the sport. 

“We wanted to bring a platform where talent is discovered and nurtured, where competition thrives, and where relationships, both personal and professional, are strengthened,” he said. “We believe in empowering ambitions, and the NCBA Series is one of those avenues to do just that. He said that at the heart of the event is talent development, which also sees them involved in the Junior Golf Series. “We are very, very proud that we are partnering with the U.S. Kids Golf to help develop the skills of the junior golfers.

“Our efforts have already started bearing fruit, and we are actually very happy that some of the golfers who have been part of this Junior Series have actually gone on to represent the national team. He cited Peter Mayende, who has been part and parcel of this Junior Golf Tournament and currently represents Uganda internationally.  At a professional level, Kenyan Kibugu Njoroge Kibugu, who is an NCBA Group-sponsored player at the DP World Tour, is now currently the highest-ranked East African professional golfer. This year, as part of the Golf Series, the bank, in partnership with Pendeza Uganda, distributed 40 water purifiers to disadvantaged families in Makerere Kivulu to provide access to safe drinking water and reduce waterborne diseases affecting the community.

“So, I hope you feel proud that you've been a part of this series and this particular effort,” Muyobo stated.

Results

Overall winners

Men: Joseph Cwinyaai 70 gross

Ladies: Martha Babirye 77

Runners up

Men: John Musiimenta 71

Ladies: Judith Komugisha 80

3rd place

Gilbert Asiimwe 75

4th Place

Aggrey Mutaka 75

Division 2

Ashwin Patel 62nett

Zhang Fangyi 68

Division 3

Peter Oola 70