Musanabera’s ace earns her sh162m SUV from Stanbic Match Play Golf qualifier
For five years, a car has awaited anyone who could accomplish this, but until now, no one had driven it home.
Berna Musanabera poses besides the Toyota Corolla Cross at Entebbe Club, February 14, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Berna Musabera of Uganda Golf Club is set to trade in her trusty Spacio for a sleek Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, after her stunning hole-in-one at the Entebbe Stanbic Matchplay Golf Qualifiers landed her the sh162m prize car.
In just his fourth year as a golfer, Musanabera pulled off the remarkable achievement on Entebbe’s par-3 hole 12 while playing in the company of Dickson Agaba, Kim Nam Yung, and Kenneth Kiddu.
With a Titleist-1 black ball and a Ping 9-iron, he delivered the tournament’s first hole-in-one since the match-play event began seven years ago.
For five years, a car has awaited anyone who could accomplish this, but until now, no one had driven it home. It was the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for Musanabera, who last year paired with Jackie Kamunyu to eliminate the men’s pair of Brian Manyindo and Mark Musinguzi in the first round.
Entebbe Club captain Serwano Walusimbi (left), Arnold Baguma (2nd left) Head of Business Development at AfriSafe Insurance Brokers, and Patricia Tusubira (right) of CFAO pose with Musanabera besides the Toyota Corolla Cross at Entebbe Club, February 14, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
This time she was only playing in the subsidiary event. This was her second major victory since she won an air ticket to Spain to compete in the International Pairs tournament alongside Brian Kagezi in 2022.
“At first, I thought it was a prank when people started screaming, but it turned out to be my hole-in-one. Fortunately, it is my first hole-in-one, and I get to win a Toyota,” Musanabera said after receiving her car keys from Arnold Baguma, Head of Business Development at AfriSafe Insurance Brokers, and Patricia Tusubira of CFAO.
“I never imagined winning this. Someone mentioned that one of my playing partners has five hole-in-ones, so I jokingly asked him for one. He replied, 'Take one; now I have four. ' I am very happy and grateful to CFAO, Afrisafe, and Stanbic for their sponsorship. I am proud to be the first woman to win this prize and believe other women can achieve it as well. We thank the sponsors for providing these opportunities.”
According to Tusubira, Musanabera will not incur any costs for the car and will receive free service for two years and a three-year warranty.
Baguma stated that they will continue sponsoring events at Entebbe Club. “We remain committed to this cause. Today marks one of our proudest moments as we officially hand over the car to a female golfer. Stanbic is our business partner, and we share a common goal.”
In the day’s action that attracted 246 players, Ivan Arinaitwe topped the men’s Group A with 68nett ahead of Isaac Mariera, who carded 69. Charles Odere also returned 68 nett in Group B, ahead of Serwano Walusimbi (69), while Jamil Maningi (65) and Alex Owor (66) were the best in Group C.
Musanabera was back on the podium, having topped the ladies' Group A ahead of Lillian Koowe (72). Esther Aganyira (65) led Group B, beating Peace Hellen by three strokes, as Albert Gitta and Martha Babirye claimed the longest drive prizes, just like Evelyne Atukunda and Tesfaye Gurmu Hayu, who walked away with the nearest to the pin prizes.