Tayebwa tops Uganda Golf Club mugs season opener

Emmanuel Tayebwa carded 65 nett to win the opening Stanbic Monthly Mug competition at the Uganda Golf Club, Kitante, on Saturday.

Playing off handicap 13, Tayebwa played six-over 78 gross (65 nett) to beat Rino Kitimbo to the overall mug on count-back and the over 100 players who competed on the day.

Tayebwa opened his round with an eagle on the par-5 hole one and double-bogeyed the par-4 hole two before he birdied holes 6 and 14, with some pars in between, to set himself in pole position on the order of merit table.

Group A winner Lydia Mutesi (left) receives her prize from ULGU president Doreen Mwesigye after the January Stanbic Mug competition at Kitante, January 25, 2025.

“It was a fantastic round despite the dry conditions. The course is dry, so you get more distance, but my swing was dialling and things were happening,” Tayebwa said.

“I intend to play every mug that there is to play this year and compete for the order of merit leadership,” Tayebwa stated.

Michael Obalim, Israel Arinaitwe, and Rino Kitimbo were the top players in the men’s groups A-C, ahead of Edgar Muzahura, Mark Namanya, and Kim Sul, who were the runners-up, respectively.

Lydia Mutesi and Harriet Kitaka were the best players in the ladies' Group A, while Rita Apell and Connie Nshemereirwe returned the best scores in Group B with 67 and 69 nett, respectively.

Fred Kasumba and Jenina Nasimolo, with 68 nett each, also got to the podium, alongside Toro Club’s Amon Bwambale, who scooped the best guest prize.

Stanbic Bank’s Rita Apell affirmed the bank’s commitment to sponsoring the monthly show and thanked the golfers who turned up for the opening competition. She encouraged them to compete regularly in order to grab exciting prizes at the end of the year for the top players.

Meanwhile, players who will feature in the Kitante Cup and the Club Championship, which will climax at the end of club captain Charles Rukundo’s first-year tenure, were also announced after the one-day event.

They include Gloria Mbaguta, Harriet Kitaka, Peace Kabasweka, Lydia Mutesi, Jenina Nsimolo, Berna Musanabera, Rita Apell, Evelyn Asiimwe, Doreen Mwesigye, Wendy Angudeyo, Sarah Nduhukire, Diana Nabukenya, Peace Muyege, Anne Njeri, Patience Nkunda, Rosette Tugume, Nancy Nsubuga, and Susan Tashobya.

The men will have Rino Kitimbo, Sul Kim, Alexander Drey, Brian Manyindo, Fred Kasumba, Ian Mutiibwa, Patel Karim, Edwin Baguma, Johan Kisekulo, Mark Namanya, Arthur Gwaku, Mulungi Seruwo, Charles Katarikawe, Collins Apuyo, Wilson Karuhanga, and Samuel Chenjuyi.

The match-play club championship will be contested by Joseph Cwinyaai, Peter Tumusiime, Edgar Muzahura, Emmanuel Tayebwa, Moses Matsiko, Shaban Ram, Hassan Kiyemba, Arshavin Kananathan, Michael Obalim, Anthony Agaba, Aggrey Mutaka, Dickson Agaba, Vincent Katutsi, Ernest Rukundo, Israel Arinaitwe, and Andrew Muhwezi.

Overall winner

Emmanuel Tayebwa 65c/b

Group A

Michael Obalim 70nett

Edgar Muzahura 72

Group B

Israel Arinaitwe 67

Mark Namanya 71

Group C

Rino  Kitimbo 65c/b

Kim Sul 66c/b

Group A-Ladies

Lydia Mutesi 68

Harriet Kitaka 70

Group B

Rita Apell 67

Connie Nshemereirwe 69

Seniors

Fred Kasumba 68

Jenina Nasimolo 68

Guest winner

Amon Bwambale 72