The excitement that normally comes around when the Uganda Golf Open nears and when it finally starts is already in the air after several partners committed to the biggest golfing event in the country.

The annual event returns with new anchor sponsors Johnnie Walker committing sh410m to the four-in-one event that tees-off on October 12 with the Ladies Open at the Uganda Golf Club (UGC), Kitante.

Absa Bank will also chip in with sh200m part of which is for the Pro-Am tournament. But the biggest part of the package is sponsorship to the 2024 Magical Kenya Open for the top ten golfers that will emerge from the event; with priority going to the professional golfers that will make the cut.

The seniors open will follow suit on October 11-14, before the amateurs and professional’s events on October 17-21 and October 24-28 respectively. The professionals will play for a kitty of sh100m.

Addressing a press conference at Kitante during the launch of the event the UBL Scotch and Reserve brand manager Christine Kyokunda said it was the connection that Johnnie Walker has with golf that they decided to sponsor because the brand represents the spirit of progress and positive strides in the right direction like the game.

Absa Bank Uganda Executive Director and Head of Markets David Wandera (2nd right) presents a sh200m dummy to the Uganda Open Tournament Director Jackson Were (left), UGC captain Emmanuel Wamala (2nd left) and ULGU president Doreen Mwesigye. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“We promise an amazing experience and we are going to show you the bold steps we take as a brand so that you have a feel of what we do on top of a gifting experience with personalized bottles in the month of October,” Kyokunda said.

James Ochen the head of sales-operations at UBL added that they were glad to return with a brand that is aligned with golf, a game of progress, a game of walking and one ‘that gets you to your goal’.

“We come with grandeur this time and we return with some beer as well and we are looking forward to this year’s experiences and we look forward to a great time,” Ochen stated.  

UGU president Moses Matsiko said they were happy to continue promoting the event that has been around for over 70 years and that they were happy to keep it going. He thanked all the sponsors for believing in golf and playing a big role in the historical event.

“The open is a golfing festival that lasts four weeks non-stop, so I would like to assure the partners that they are in a good place and they will get the value for money, at the home of golf,” Matsiko stated.

“We are in good cooperation with the NCS and they have pledged their commitment to supporting golf and urged all the golfers to use this as a platform to showcase their talent for there is more coming from NCS”.

UGC captain Emmanuel Wamala said they had done all it takes to ensure the course is in pristine condition. He said all the golfers that are going to compete in the event have been offered free practice rounds for all those that are going to participate in the event as well as a free range for the junior golfers.

Jackson Were, the tournament director thanked the sponsors for their commitment and reassured the golfers that everything was now set. He said the technical team prepared the course in the best way possible and invited the public to come and enjoy the fun and the experience during the competition over the three weeks.

The co-sponsors were represented by David Wandera (Absa), Grace Namutebi (Aquafina), John Basabose (HH Solutions), Moses Omongot (Medisell), Nicholas Ngobi (NBS Sport), Doreen Mwesigye (Orchard Interiors), D. Muzaire Kaweesi (Case Medic) and Pinnacle Security that contributed sh30m announced by the General Manager Maxi Byenkya.