Kakooza wins Namulonge Golf Open

Marylouis Simkins Memorial Golf Course Namulonge-bred golfer Abdallah Kakooza carded an overall 6-over 213 over 54 holes to win the fourth edition of the Equity-NARO Namulonge Golf Open at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCCRI) course on Saturday.

Kakooza edged Uganda Open champion Reagan Akena by a stroke to win his first major since starting out as a caddie in 2013.

Trailing by seven strokes after the opening 36 holes, Kakooza rode his luck when Akena surrendered his lead in the last round on the back-nine, losing six strokes on the par-3 holes 11, 12, and 13, which he double-bogeyed before going out of bounds on the 16th, handing the advantage to Kakooza, who notched it by one stroke.

Fakhrudin Properties' Kigozi (left) hands over prizes to the ladies Group A winner Faith Namara after the Equity-NARO Golf Open in Namulonge. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Teeing off hole 17, Akena was now two strokes behind Kakooza but could only recover one on the 18th, which he birdied while Kakooza got par, at the par-69 nine-hole course.

“I think I was lucky because on hole 16, Akena pulled out his driver and directed his ball to the right of the fairway where he went out of bounds for a two-stroke penalty,” Kakooza said.

“I think I was lucky to gain six strokes in nine holes. But I have been playing some good golf though not winning until this lucky day,” said Kakooza, who started as a caddie in 2013.

“I thought I would play much better this being my home course but it did not go as I had wished. I had a tough opening day where I played 3 and 4-over on the front and back but I recovered on the last day and played one-under 68,” Kakooza, who took the biggest share of the sh3m prize money, stated.

Titus Okwong, who recently won the Entebbe Open, finished third, two strokes away, while Joseph Cwinya-ai managed fourth place as Charles Mulyanga and Joseph Kasozi tied in fifth position.

Namulonge Golf Club's treasurer Leone Byereta (left) congratulates Marvin Kibirige who won the professional's event as Equity Bank MD Anthony Kituuka (center) looks on . Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The professionals’ event was won by another ‘home boy,’ Marvin Kibirige, who carded nine-under 129 over 36 holes to claim the biggest share of the sh10m kitty.

“Like everyone else, I also came to the competition with a mindset of winning, so I focused a lot because prior to the competition I was not playing well (my swing was off) because I wasn’t mentally okay, but I reset after the Entebbe Open,” said Kibirige, who won the same event as an amateur in 2022.

Kibirige notched 14 birdies, 3 bogeys, and one double bogey overall in 36 holes to win on his home course.

Namulonge witnessed one of the biggest and liveliest 19th hole experiences with the Afrigo Band entertaining the golfers after, with sponsors Equity Bank, who offered sh175m for this year’s event, even promising a bigger and better fifth edition.

The event was co-sponsored by NaCCRI, Aquafina (Pepsi), Fakhruddin Properties, Kachain Logistics, and Munig Engineering.

Top 5 amateurs

Abdallah Kakooza 72 73 68 213

Reagan Akena 69 69 76 214

Titus Okwong 74 70 71 215

Joseph Cwinyaai 73 79 65 217

Charles Mulyanga 77 69 72 218

Joseph Kasozi 74 73 71 218

Professionals

Marvin Kibirige 67 62 129

Tom Jjingo 65 70 135

James Koto 68 70 138

Phillip Kasozi 67 73 140

David Kamulindwa 70 70 140

Abraham Ainamani 69 71 140

Rodell Gaita 69 72 141

Ronald Otile 72 69 141

Deo Akope 71 72 143

Vincent Byamukama 73 71 144

Davis Kato 74 70 144

Group A men

Mark Rubatsimbira 69

Collins Bulafu 73

Elton Thembo 74

Group B

Allan Akiira 34pts

LukeNyakarahuka 33

Charles Lutwama 30

Group C

Brian Aldomoro 41

Jude Kyobe 39

Dennis Katalihwa 38

Ladies Group A

Faith Namara 30

Florence Namara 25pts

Group B

Gloria Owomugisha 40

Justina Ichabala 31

Seniors

Kenneth Katarikawe 37

Jennifer Opio 16

Longest drive

Resty Nalutaaya

Dephas Niwagumya

Nearest to the pin

Baker Kisambira