Uganda Open moving towards tour status

Uganda Breweries Managing Director Mark Ocitti believes the Tusker Malt Uganda Open is on its way to growing to the levels of the Sunshine tour despite the enormous work that still remains to be done.

Ocitti who recently replaced Nyimpini Mabunda as MD sees the massive improvements the open has achieved during their six time sponsorship as the reason to believe.

"We are already on our way to ensuring we reach that level. Last year, we had over 200 players coming from other countries across Africa to play in the Uganda Open,"

"At this year's open, we have players from the Sunshine Tour who are coming in to play again. We expect star amateur players from Kenya, and Zambian star Aaron Simfukwe, JR the winner of the Windhoek Lager Africa Jacket golf tournament, so we believe we shall get there," Ocitti stated.

"But to be fair, we have a lot of work to do to get the Uganda Open on the same level as tournaments like the Sunshine, Big Easy and MENA Tours. But we have been working hard to see that the Open grows, and we believe in a few years, we shall be able to boast of the same stature as the Sunshine Tour,"

"Our Journey with the Uganda Open has been very exciting. We have seen the open grow every passing year which has seen increased participation across the board. We have seen the growth of local stars such as Willy Kitata, Ronald Otile, Vincent Byamukama, Adolf Muhumuza among others, come and take on the big boys from the international scene," Ocitti noted

Tusker has increased this year's sponsorship to the UGU for the event from sh200m last year to sh230m cash with another sh270m expected to cater for sponsorship kits including media, player uniforms, merchandise, and logistical elements for prize giving dinners among others.

"Our association with the sport of golf will last as long as we can tell. It is an association of growth and development for both the sport and the brand," Ocitti remarked.