Kyomugisha, Cwinyaai claim top honours at Lira Ladies Open

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Kabale Golf Club Lady Captain Meron Kyomugisha carded an overall 235 gross over 54 holes to win the fifth Lira Ladies Open tournament at Lira Golf Club.

Kyomugisha beat her nearest challenger, Lugazi Hills Golf and Country Club’s Winnie Musuya, by four strokes on May 9, 2026, to successfully defend the title she also won last year.

Fresh from winning the Kilembe Ladies Open in Kasese last month, Kyomugisha, who is currently ranked 440th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, remained in fine form, registering three birdies and 26 pars over the three rounds to claim the biggest share of the sh4m prize money allocated to the top four ladies.

Musuya hit an eagle on the par-four second hole in the opening round, in addition to five birdies overall, but it was not enough to dislodge the experienced and long-hitting Kyomugisha.

Peace Kabasweka, who won the event in 2024, opted to play in the Kenya Ladies Amateur Strokeplay Championship held on the same weekend, while Martha Babirye missed the action.

Joseph Cwinyaai reads his line before putting.

“My consistent training is paying off, and the course was in better shape this time around with much-improved greens. You only had to ensure you keep your ball on the fairway, because it was tough getting out of the rough,” Kyomugisha said.

“The Lira course is small but very tricky. For example, hole 3 has a dogleg to the right guarded by OBs on both sides, and it really punished many golfers."

Entebbe Club’s Resty Nalutaaya finished third overall, nine strokes behind the winner, while Uganda Golf Club’s Joweria Namanda finished fourth with 247 gross.

Dinah Ongol topped the bronze category after rounds of 94 and 93 for a total of 187 over two rounds, ahead of Sarah Ainembabazi (201) and Vicky Oyom (211).

Cwinyaai edges Kakooza

In the Lira Open men’s gross category played concurrently, Uganda Golf Club’s Joseph Cwinyaai edged Namulonge’s Abdullah Kakooza by one stroke to claim the biggest share of the sh10m prize money.

Cwinyaai, who is ranked 197th in the world, opened with a four-under 68 featuring four birdies before improving with a 67 in the second round, where he carded six birdies. He wrapped up the tournament with a level-par 72 to secure victory.

Despite putting up a strong challenge with 13 birdies and an eagle over the three-day competition, Kakooza fell short, just as he did against the same opponent in last month’s Pearl of Africa Golf Series tournament at Entebbe Club, where he lost by five strokes.