Kenya’s Nyanchama wins her first Uganda Ladies Open Golf title

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Kenyan Mercy Nyanchama edged Tanzania’s Neema Olomi after a thrilling double sudden-death playoff to claim her first Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Open Golf Championship at the Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club course on Saturday August 30, 2025.

Both players had tied on 230-gross after 54 holes of competition. This score forced a play-off, which was decided on the par-3 hole 8. They both got par at the first attempt. Nyanchama then won with another par after her opponent missed a ten-foot putt in the second round of the play-off.

Njoro Country Club’s Nyanchama, who began her quest in the lady’s event back in 2017 and heartbreakingly missed victory by just three strokes to Irene Nakalembe in 2021, finally triumphed on her fourth attempt to claim her first Ugandan title and second on foreign soil following her Tanzania Ladies Open triumph last year.

Mercy Nyanchama (center) poses with Martha Babirye and Neema Olomi (right) after the Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Open Golf Championship at the Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club, August 30, 2025.

She notched seven birdies over the three rounds in which she opened with a 78 before improving with a 75 in the second and wrapping it up with a 77.

“I’m very excited to with the Uganda Ladies Open for the first time. I have been coming here, coming second and third before but finally I’m the winner,” Nyanchama said.

“At first, I felt a lot of pressure, but I settled in well as went through the rounds. I just told myself to relax and play the course as it lies. The par I got on the 14th hole from the bunker in the final round excited me and the next hole I had a two-club that is when I knew I could win it.

“I have been exercising a lot and playing a lot of golf at home and that helped me, but I was also encouraged to come and play by my friend Peace Kabasweka who unfortunately wasn’t around, but I owe it to her,” Nyanchama stated.

Three-time winner Uganda’s Martha Babirye put up a good chase producing the best score of the last round (76) that came with four birdies, but she came short by three strokes and just edging Kenyan Ashley Awuor to the third place by just a stroke.

Mercy Nyanchama (center) receives her prizes from Josephine Njoroge (2nd left) the finance and strategy director at Uganda Breweries Limited, Maxi Byenkya, ULGU president Rita Apell as UGU president Jackson Were (right) looks on after the Johnnie Walker Uganda Ladies Open Golf Championship at the Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club, August 30, 2025.

“I played well only that I messed up game in the second round where I scored 7-over 80. We need more game time and practice ahead of such tournaments, but I promise to bounce back stronger next year,” Babirye said.

“I want to thank the sponsors Johnnie Walker for giving us the opportunity and my personal sponsors Sheraton Hotel, but I wish they can do it even before so that we prepare adequately on such courses with unique greens and terrain,”

Defending champion Tanzanian Iddy Madina found the hills and valleys of Lugazi tough and settled for fifth place despite producing her best score (77) in the last round, in the event played under the theme: “She walks” which symbolises women’s grace, focus, and determination, and shines keeps shining a spotlight on women in Uganda.

Lugazi witnessed a rare 19th hole experience powered by Johnnie Walker which excited the course management who are now looking forward to organising more events at the picturesque course.

Josephine Njoroge the finance and strategy director at Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) presided over the event alongside the other co-sponsors from Absa, Aquafina, Isuzu Mac East Africa, Uganda Tourism Board, Medisell Uganda, and MTN MOMO.

“We are here to celebrate the spirit of women who continue to push boundaries in golf and beyond and that, at its core, is what ‘She Walks’ is all about.

“And when you look at the grit, the passion, the resilience that we have seen at the course this week we are campaigning and calling out for trail-brazing women. It is about creating spaces, where women can connect, share stories and lift themselves up,” Njoroge stated before musician Vinka lit up the 19th hole with a lively performance.

Top ten

Mercy Nyanchama (KEN) 78 75 77 230

Neema Olomi (TZ) 73 80 77 230

Martha Babirye 77 80 76 (UGA) 233

Ashley Awuor (KEN) 80 77 77 234

Iddy Madina (TZ) 84 81 77 242

Winnie Musuya (UGA) 80 84 80 244

Meron Kyomugisha (UGA) 85 82 85 252

Lillian Koowe (UGA) 82 87 88 257

Judith Komugisha (UGA) 91 86 80 257

Joweria Namanda (UGA) 88 84 87 259

Vicky Elias (TZ) 87 85 87 259