Rugumayo bags UGC Ladies Open Pros crown as Madina starts title defence

Ronald Rugumayo shot an impressive overall score of 11-under 133 over 36 holes to claim victory at the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) Ladies Open Professionals tournament held at Kitante on Thursday.

The MTN-sponsored golfer recorded 13 birdies and one eagle over the two rounds, marking one of the best wins of his career at the par-72 course. His opening round of 8-under 64 is the best he has ever achieved in a competition at Kitante.

Rugumayo began his opening round with a birdie on the par-5 first hole and followed it with a par on the par-4 second hole. He then secured consecutive birdies on the third and fourth holes before making an eagle, finishing the front nine at four-under par. His only blemish came with a bogey on the par-3 sixth hole.

Tanzanian Iddy Madina is back to try and defend her UGC Ladies Open title. She shot 72 in the opening round. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

On the back nine, he added three more birdies on holes 13, 16, and 17, giving him a four-stroke lead over Deo Akope, who opened with a four-under 68, marked by six birdies.

Defending champion Grace Kasango also had a solid opening round, carding a 3-under 69. His only mistake was a double bogey on the par-4 12th hole, leaving him five strokes behind Rugumayo.

Kasango’s strong performance included eight birdies and an eagle overall over the two days, securing him second place ahead of Phillip Kasozi, who finished third, eight strokes back.

“I have to set the bar high; I have done everything possible in this game—I've gained exposure, invested time, and put in money. So, I have to do my best and maintain high standards,” Rugumayo stated.

“I practiced on Monday and felt ready to play well. It's all about giving my best every time I step onto the course, and I’m happy with the way I won. This is my personal best in a two-day tournament. I’m grateful and excited about this victory as I prepare for the Uganda Open,” Rugumayo added.

“Winning with such a score means a few things are coming together, and with the Uganda Open around the corner, this keeps my confidence levels high, and it motivates me in many different ways,” he stated.

In the 54-hole gross amateur ladies’ competition that started on Friday, defending champion Iddy Madina from Tanzania carded an opening round of level-par 72, tying for the lead with Uganda’s Judith Komugisha, who also scored 72 in the seventh edition of the championship.

Two-time winner Martha Babirye is in third place, just one stroke behind the leaders. Meron Kyomugisha and Berna Musanabera are tied for fourth, seven strokes off the lead, while Hadijah Nampijja, Rwandan Sylvie Irakoze, Gloria Mbaguta, Lillian Koowe, Harriet Kitaka, and Laura Natukunda round out the top ten in this World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) event.

In the men’s gross category, Joseph Cwinyaai leads with a score of 139, five strokes ahead of Juma Abiti, who played level-par 72 in both opening rounds. Morris Ashaba is in third place, six strokes off the lead, while Charles Mulyanga and Peter Tumusiime are tied for fourth, each with a score of 147 over the two rounds.

The event has attracted 41 elite amateurs. The gross amateur ladies are competing for a prize pool of sh7 million, while the gross amateur men and professionals are vying for a prize pool of sh5 million and sh10 million, respectively.

Final leaderboard

Ronald Rugumayo 64 69 133

Grace Kasango 69 68 137

Phillip Kasozi 70 71 141

David Kamulindwa 74 69 143

Marvin Kibirige 70 73 143

Abraham Ainamani 71 74 145

Deo Akope 68 78 146

Rodell Gaita 75 73 148

Herman Mutebi 78 71 149

Ronald Bukenya 77 72 149