Ugandan golfers take Katogo golf vibes to Kigali in second cross-boarder series

Entebbe Club’s Michael Kijjambu, Serwano Walusimbi, Elly Mukasa, Harry Hakiza, and David Obua were the toast of the Ugandan side as the second international round of the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series ended at the Kigali Golf Resort and Villas on Saturday.

Kijjambu and Serwano carded 39 points each, and Mukasa 38, while Hakiza and Obua managed 36 apiece, but it wasn’t enough to inspire the Ugandan side to the championship, as the hosts won with 759 points against Katogo’s 701.

The one-day tournament, known as the “Virunga Challenge,” was played under the Stableford format. The host club leveraged its local knowledge to win the second cross-border event in the series, following the first edition held last year at Limuru Country Club in Kenya.

The top 20 individual results were used to determine the final team scores. Over 120 Ugandan golfers took part in the event. Team Kigali’s top performers were Theogene Habumuremyi and Darlington Kabatende with 42 points each, while Pearl Kirungi, Innocent Rutamu, and Januario Mucyo finished with 40 points each.

The other winners of the day included Timothy Musiime, the I&M Bank Uganda Chief Finance Officer, who emerged the Bank staff champion, with 38 points; January Mucyo, with 40 points; and Josephine Lee, who claimed the overall honors in the men’s and ladies’ categories, respectively.

Maxi Byenkya, who had a hole-in-one on her practice round on Friday, won the nearest-to-the-pin for ladies, while Benjamin Mukisa took it for the men. Sylvie Irakoze and Benjamin Manzi claimed the longest drives for women and men, respectively.

The event climaxed in true ‘Katogo style,’ with a lively ‘All white’-themed 19th hole experience that was characterized by a sumptuous three-course dinner, an open bar, and a DJ session that saw golfers and guests dance the night away till the wee hours of Sunday morning.

With the Ugandan contingent outnumbering the home players, Kigali Golf Resort Captain Eugene Murenjekha, who was flanked by the Lady Captain, Jenny Linda, took time off to applaud the Ugandan team for the energy and, most importantly, the deliberate effort to uplift the game of golf across the region.

“We are proud to host our Ugandan brothers and sisters in Kigali. The energy, sportsmanship, and laughter we have shared today truly reflect what golf is all about. We look forward to meeting again at Entebbe Club for the grand finale,” he said.

Katogo Captain Elly Mukasa, who took golfers through the humble beginnings of the series, stated that the cross-border legs have been a game changer, bringing new energy, diversity, and excitement to the competition.

“The Kigali leg has been an inspiring experience, and we have picked many lessons that will guide us to execute future legs of the series even better. Moments like these remind us that Katogo is not just about winning trophies; it’s about enjoying the game and connecting with golfers and friends across borders, as well as creating memories that stay with us long after the final putt,” he said.

Mukasa extended an invitation to the Kigali team for the upcoming 2025 I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series grand finale, slated for November 29, at Entebbe Club.

I&M Bank Uganda, the tournament’s lead sponsors, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the growth of golf and strengthening regional ties through sport. Annette Nakiyaga, the I&M Bank Uganda Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, commended the Ugandan team for participating in big numbers and commended the Kigali team for the warm welcome that provided a perfect background for new friendships.

“As a bank with a presence across the region, we are proud to be at the heart of this tournament, while gaining insights that will allow us to elevate future events outside Uganda,” she said. “I thank Katogo members for coming out in such a big number, and I thank our hosts—the leadership of Kigali Golf Resort and Villas, the I&M Bank team Rwanda, and golfers—for welcoming us and ensuring this leg is a success.”

Iddy Rugamba, the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at I&M Bank Rwanda, who represented the CEO, Benjamin Mutimura, noted that they have drawn inspiration from their Ugandan counterparts and shall introduce a similar golf series next year.