Rugumayo hungrier for success after Uganda Open victory
The Tooro-bred golfer, now proudly representing Uganda Golf Club, is already gearing up for his next challenge at Entebbe Club.
UBL Board Chairman Jimmy Mugerwa (2nd right) and UGU president Jackson Were (right) present prizes to Ronald Rugumayo as Johnnie Walker brand manager Christine Kyokunda (left) looks on after the Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open Championship at Kitante. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Having finally shattered the jinx to claim victory at the Johnnie Walker Uganda Professionals Golf Open at Kitante on Saturday, Ugandan pro Ronald Rugumayo is hungrier than ever for more success.
The Tooro-bred golfer, now proudly representing Uganda Golf Club, is already gearing up for his next challenge at Entebbe Club. There, he will lead the charge as local pros battle in the second MTN Pro Tees Series Championship from September 8-11, with a prize pool of sh20m.
This championship marks a milestone for Ugandan professional golf, offering a dynamic platform for elite players to sharpen their skills and chase the coveted MTN Pro-Tee Order of Merit title.
After this week’s contest, the pros will remain in high gear for the Pearl of Africa Golf Series, the country’s inaugural Sunshine Development Tour event.
Rugumayo’s calendar is packed: at the MTN Pro Tees, he is eager to give back to his former sponsors before heading into the POA, then jetting off to Rwanda for the Sunshine Tour’s Rwanda Open, and finally returning to South Africa for more Sunshine Tour action.
With his Uganda Open victory, Rugumayo joined Deo Akope as only the second Ugandan to win the title in the past 12 years, following Akope’s 2014 triumph.
Rugumayo’s ascent to the top with a score of 299 was just one highlight in a championship that celebrated the expanding depth and vibrant pan-African spirit of professional golf. Players from across the continent, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Malawi, Ghana, and South Africa, came together for a truly continental showdown.
The different winners pose with sponsors representatives after the Pros Open at Kitante. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Nigeria’s Godwin Okoko finished second with 283; Zambia’s Greg Snow was third with 284; Tanzania’s Nuru Mollel took fourth with 285, while title-defending champion Rwanda’s Celestine Nsanzuwera closed strongly to finish fifth with 286.
The leaderboard itself became an Afro Exchange, with Nigerians, Kenyans, Tanzanians, Rwandans, Zambians, Zimbabweans, and Ugandans all making their mark. The Johnnie Walker Uganda Open has truly evolved into a crossroads for Africa’s top golfing talent.
It was only fitting that the tournament’s final 19th-hole celebration echoed this same vibrant continental spirit.
The Johnnie Walker Afro Exchange 19th hole experience wrapped up the tournament in a burst of color and energy with its ‘Lagos Night’ theme. Ugandan and African music sensation Joshua Baraka headlined the festivities, thrilling fans with hits from his catalogue, including his latest single YoYo.
DJs Shock and Vans provided a pan-African soundtrack.
The evening was a lively fusion of music, fashion, cuisine, and African culture, as guests embraced the Nigerian-inspired theme by donning striking white-and-green attire.
“Afro Exchange gave us a unique way to connect with the golfing community throughout the tournament. From the competition on the course to the experiences off it, we were able to create moments that felt fresh while celebrating the spirit of progress and togetherness at the heart of Keep Walking,” Kyokunda said.
For Uganda Breweries Limited Board Chairman Jimmy Mugerwa, the month-long Johnnie Walker Uganda Open demonstrated the championship's growing stature as a platform for competitive golf in Uganda and across the continent.
“The quality of golf we have witnessed throughout the championship has been a strong reflection of how much the Johnnie Walker Uganda Open has grown. Bringing together golfers from across Africa gives local players a chance to test themselves against different styles and levels of competition, while also giving visiting golfers a chance to experience Uganda’s golfing environment. That is important for the continued growth of the game,” Mugerwa said.
As the 2026 championship came to a close, attention turned to next year, with Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa receiving the baton to host the 2027 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open. Mugerwa, Serena’s captain, welcomed the opportunity to host the championship.
For Uganda Golf Union President Dr. Jackson Were, the close of the 2026 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open was an opportunity to reflect on a championship that continues to command the attention of golfers well beyond Uganda, while maintaining its place as the country’s flagship professional golf event.
“We do not take the support around this tournament for granted. Johnnie Walker has continued to give us the confidence to stage the Open at the level we want. We are grateful for that commitment. We now look forward to the next edition and building on what we have achieved this year to make the championship even better,” Were said.
The 2026 Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open was supported by ABSA, MTN MOMO, Aquafina, Pepsi, Case Clinic, Medisell, Rose Foam, Pearl Marina, and NBS Sport.