Former champions march on in the Entebbe Stanbic Matchplay Challenge
With Byenkya unavailable, Kaheru competed alone and challenged the pair up to the 17th hole, as the tournament began to distinguish the top performers.
Lillian Koowe advanced with her partner after the first round. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Defending champions Steven Kitamirike and Charles Kabunga began their title defense with a win over Paul Kaheru and Maxi Byenkya IUP in the tournament’s first round at Entebbe Club on Saturday.
With Byenkya unavailable, Kaheru competed alone and challenged the pair up to the 17th hole, as the tournament began to distinguish the top performers.
The ladies' pair of Lillian Koowe and Joyce Kisembo, who won the event in 2024, advanced to the next round by defeating Brian Omeda and Dennis Akankunda, 3&2. Isaac Mariera and John Muchiri, the 2017 champions, also progressed after a hard-fought playoff against Michael Sekadde and Ceasar Barole.
Stanbic Chief Information Officer Rita Apell (left) hands over prizes to Group B winner Daniel Opwonya after the Stanbic Entebbe Match-Play Challenge at Entebbe Club, March 28, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Several other matches, including Serwano Walusimbi and Paul Katuramu versus Milton Edimu and Lloyd Busuulwa; Lino Anguzu and Jimmy Adiga versus Ronald Osekeny and Casper Okiru; Arthur Ronnie Arinaitwe and Esther Aganyira versus Nelson Musinguzi and Tesfaye Gurmu Hayu; Saleh Kalema and Aggrey Mutaka versus David Katergga and Charles Kizito; and Allan Sematimba and Hannington Mulumba versus Edith Wamalwa and Nice Janda, all ended with victories after the first-hole playoff for the first-named teams.
The easiest wins of the day were registered by Elly Mukasa/Kiryowa Kiwanuka and Samuel Kinyanjui/Michael Nimoh, who defeated Andrew Kibaya/Edward Kabuchu and David Mpanga/Bridget Nakamoga 6&5 each.
Stephen Paul Ojambo/Herbert Kamuntu, Craig Muwanguzi/Spenser Sabiiti, and Evelyne Atukunda/Edrea Kagombe won their matches against Timothy Okanya/James Joash Okema, Sula Serugo/Brian Wakwale, and Harry Hakiza/Jerry Owachi 5&4 each, while the 2024 finalists Tony Kisadha/Richard Mwami and Francis Mukonyezi/Paul Mukiza won their matches against Richard Mugisha/Louis Tumukunde and Ivan Settimba/Stephen Magero with a score of 5&3 each, respectively.
State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities Martin Mugarra Bahinduka (left) presents a trophy to Martha Babirye after the Stanbic Match Play Challenge's Round One at Entebbe Club, March 28, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
The other teams that qualified for the second round to be played on April 11 included those of Paul Nsereko/Patrick Mugisha, Venny Birusya/Steven Katwiremu, Peter Ssebabenga/George Aafimani, and Anthony Agaba/Daniel Kalungi, who all won their matches 3&2 against Marvin Kagoro/Oscar Semawere, David Ssekitoleko/Emmanuel Wamala, Morgan Otile/Hebert Opolot, and Arthur Gwaku/Dave Plendelith, respectively.
There were also wins for Herbert Olowo and Albert Gitta, who beat Raymond Ekwamu/Dean Kateeba, 1up; Edward Okech and Nelson Ojwiya, who edged Paul Habyarimana/William Otieno, 2&1; as well as Michael Monne and Ronald Pulle, who also eliminated Lony Akena/Ojok Odur, 1UP.
In the subsidiary event, Samson Agamire won the men’s Group A with 36 stableford points ahead of Paul Ndyaguma (33 pts), while Daniel Opwonya (36 pts) beat James O’Sullivan in Group B just like John Ssebuliba (39), who edged Isaac Kyoyagala in Group C. Peace Hellen (41 pts) and Martha Babirye (34) were the top players in the ladies' Group A while Sheila Ajok (35) and Phionah Namanya (33) were the best in Group B.