Starting November 2-7, over 80 local and foreign players are expected to storm the Lugogo courts to fight for a share of $5000 (sh18m) prize money in the first event of the local calendar.

 

Players from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and other countries who would have registered by October 30 will compete in the Men's Singles, Women Singles and Mixed Doubles.

 

Rwanda's top seeds Jean Claude Gasigwa and Dieudonne Habiyambere set up an all-Rwandan final the last time the event was held in 2013; which the former who has since passed on won at Kampala Club.

 

The men and women singles' winners will walk away with $800 (sh2.8m) and $600 (sh2.1m) respectively with the runners up in both categories and the quarter finalists bagging cash ranging from $300-400 (sh1.08-1.4m).

 

The tournament is sponsored by Motor Care, Roke Telecom, Castle Lite, Rwenzori water, Mythos, NCS, Bollore, Pepsi and Jamal Ramji who have pulled resources together to make it happen and whose representatives promised to continue supporting the sport.

 

Addressing a press conference during the launch of the tournament at Lugogo, Uganda Tennis Association chairman, Cedric Babu said they were looking forward to an exciting tournament.

 

"Though there has been nothing much to write about I urge the press to continue supporting the individual athletes as they continue to improve," Babu remarked.

 

"We have a five year strategy, we have a huge wish list but we will just take one thing at a time as sponsors come on board, because everything comes to how much money we have. I hope the Uganda Open and some of the grassroot programs we have will re-engineer the interest in Tennis so that we can have more events," Babu stated.