Kenyan Indiza wins 6th Uganda Open Professionals title
“This was a good win but the sweetest was the one I won in Entebbe in 2018 which came with sh41m,” Indiza, who has played as a pro for the last 35 years stated.
UBL Board Chairman Jimmy Mugerwa (L), Attoney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka and UGU president Moses Matsiko present prizes to Dismas Indiza after he won the Uganda Professionals Open at Kitante.
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_____________________________ UGU president Moses Matsiko (left), UBL Managing Director Andrew Kilonzo and Attoney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka present the rotational trophy to Dismas Indiza after he won the Uganda Professionals Open at Kitante Dismas Indiza poses with his trophy after he won the Uganda Professionals Open at Kitante, October 28, 2023
He came by bus and could opt to go back to driving or riding after winning the 18th edition of the Johnnie Walker Uganda Professionals Open at Kitante on Saturday.
Kakamega Golf Club’s Indiza carded 277 gross (11-under) over four rounds to win the event by three strokes, edging out Ugandan Ronald Rugumayo who led the strong field of golfer for three rounds, by three strokes.
Five years since he last won the Uganda Professionals Open, Kenyan Dismas Indiza showed there is no substitute for hard work and experience after he grabbed his seventh title at Kitante on Saturday.
All eyes were off the 55-year old who only crawled into the top ten after his second round five-under 67, with focus turning to the young breed of golfers led by Rugumayo, David Kamulindwa, Rwandan Celestine Nsanzuwera, and Kenyan Njoroge Kibugu who played fantastic golf over the opening two rounds.
But there was nothing much to separate the top five after the third round that included Indiza who was tied for fourth with Namibian Paulino Kasoma, three strokes away from the leader Rugumayo. 
So, going into the last round, it was anyone’s to win, and it was the Kenyan who displayed the kind of mettle needed to win such championships; wrapping it up with a five-under 67.
“When I saw the leaders had failed to stretch their lead and they were still playing one-three under, I knew there was still a chance for me, so I decided to go for it,” Indiza who lives in Mumias, said.
“This is my course and I know it very well, my aim is always to get birdies on the par-5s; there are just two or three problematic holes but I can easily manage on this course,”
Indiza started strong with an eagle on the par-5 hole-1, before consecutive birdies on holes two and three, meaning he was already at par with the leader by the par-5, hole-5 which he also birdied. He also birdied another par-5, hole-eight before a bogey on the par-3 hole nine reduced his tempo to just four-under on the front nine. But he managed two more birdies on holes 13 and 16 to win with an overall 17 birdies, two eagles, and ten bogeys with the rest pars.
“I was just enjoying my game without any pressure and I wanted to play like eight-under today but the two bogeys limited me, I thought Rugumayo was winning it but he got problems today,” Indiza stated.
“This was a good win but the sweetest was the one I won in Entebbe in 2018 which came with sh41m,” Indiza, who has played as a pro for the last 35 years stated.
Lake Victoria Serena’s Rugumayo who led for three rounds failed to find his rhythm in the last round despite opening his round with a birdie on the par-5 hole-1 which he followed with another on hole-5.
But from then on he failed to commit enough to his putts, always coming short by two feet on most holes where he picked costly bogeys especially the double bogey one on the par-3 hole-9 that cost him an extra sh3m less in earnings.
He only picked sh11m having tied second with Namibia’s Kasoma instead of the sh14m that he should have pocketed with at least a second-place finish.
The day’s score that would have won Rugumayo the title was instead played by Phillip Kasozi who carded four-under 68 to jump to fourth place where he won sh6m.
Amateur winner Godfrey Nsubuga finished tenth and was rewarded with a trophy and sh1m from the anchor sponsor Johnnie Walker.
The professional golfers who didn’t make it will now look for redemption in the sh36m Entebbe Open that tees off on Wednesday at Entebbe Club.
Final leaderboard (top 10)
Dismas Indiza (KE) 72 67 71 67 277
Ronald Rugumayo (UG) 67 69 71 73 280
Paulino Kasoma (NAM) 70 69 71 70 280
Phillip Kasozi (UG) 73 69 71 68 281
Visitor Mapwanya (ZIM) 73 69 71 69 282
Njoroge Kibugu (KE) 70 69 69 74 282
David Kamulindwa (UG) 69 69 71 74 283
Celestine Nsanzuwera (RW) 69 68 72 76 285
Jeff Kubwa (KE) 71 73 73 68 285
Godfrey Nsubuga (AM) 71 72 71 72 286