Peace Kabasweka and Joseph Cwinya-ai scooped three and two prizes respectively as the Kenya Day Golf Tournament ended at the Uganda Golf Club on Saturday.

But it was Dominic Tumwesigye and Susan Tashobya who took the overall honours in the event that headlined this year’s Jamhuri Day (Kenya Independence Day) celebrations.

Kenya’s Independence Day is celebrated annually on December 12 but in Uganda, a series of activities are held before as part of the ‘Kenya Week’ that builds up to the celebrations for Kenyan nationals in Uganda.

On top of topping the men's and ladies' Group A respectively, Cwinya-ai and Kabasweka also picked the longest drive prizes, with the latter adding the nearest to the pin prize to her day’s collection.

The two golfers alongside the overall winners; Tumwesigye and Tashobya who won their respective categories by 41 and 36 points respectively, on top of the trophies and goodies from Haas Energy and NCBA Bank also won KCB Bank golf sponsorship packages to Nairobi.

They will be part of the Ugandans that will participate in the Magical Kenya Open slated for March next year.

Group B winner Richard Mwami and seniors’ winners Sam Zaramba and Grace Kabonero also picked Kenya Airways tickets on top of Serena Hotel accommodation, lunch, and or supper vouchers.

The tournament was presided over by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of International Affairs Henry Oryem who was chief guest as well as Uganda Breweries Chairman Jimmy Mugerwa who was guest of honour.

Oryem thanked the Kenyan High Commissioner George Owinow for the organization of the tournament and noted that this was a consolidation of our brotherly and solid relationship between Uganda and Kenya.

“Our relationship is cast in stone and what is important is that we should exploit the opportunities to the benefit of the people in the two countries,” Oryem said.

He highlighted the need to protect golf courses because of their importance in promoting sports tourism and recreation.

Mugerwa hailed the commissioner for taking the lead in the East Africa integration and environmental conservation efforts and promised more support to such initiatives through the game of golf.

Kenya High Commissioner to Uganda George Owinow said the tournament was played under the theme ‘diaspora diplomacy for people-centered integration’.

He said the tournament was one of other events including the diaspora and an environment conservation day that involved a CSR campaign, planting of 2000 trees in Mabira forest specifically at the Busoga College Mwiri, aimed at restocking the Mabira Forest and a thanks-giving activity in Entebbe on Sunday.

The one-day tournament has also attracted several other sponsors in Uganda with Kenyan roots including Kenya Airways, Equity Bank, Britam, UAP Old Mutual, KCB Bank, CIC Insurance, Kenya Ports Authority, Uganda Breweries, MTN, and Case Medical Services among others. 

Overall winners

Men: Dominic Tumwesigye 41pts

Ladies: Susan Tashobya 36

Group A

Joseph Cwinya-ai 40pts

Rogers Byaruhanga 36

Group B

Richard Mwami 40c/b

Damian Asiimwe 40

Group C

Rino Kitimbo 38

P.K Sharma 36

Ladies Group A

Peace Kabasweka 35pts

Sarah Nduhukire 34

Group B

Caroline Kamugisha 33c/b

Doreen Mwesigye 33

Seniors

Sam Zaramba 37pts

Grace Kabonero 33

Nearest to the pin

Samson Kamugisha

Peace Kabasweka

Longest drive

Joseph Cwinya-ai

Peace Kabasweka