The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
💠 Leaderboard ➡🏌️♂️
Nsubuga 65 69 72 69 | 275| -13 🇺🇬
Bagalana 70 70 69 70 | 279| -9 🇺🇬
Cwinyaai 73 71 68 72 | 264 | -4 🇺🇬
Tumusiime 74 72 73 77 | 296| +8 🇺🇬
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Godfrey Nsubuga led from start to finish, as he secured his first Uganda Open golf title with a record score 275 strokes (13-under-par) at the UGC course at Kitante this evening.
All signs were that the Johnnie Walker Uganda Golf Open would have a new champion, when on day one on Wednesday, Nsubuga set the pace with a 7-under par score of 65 as the defending champion Andrew Sekibejja, struggled at 10 over par 82.
Nsubuga seemed to falter on day three, but showed he has what it takes in the heat, sealing his victory with a 69.
“I benefited from training in South Africa courtesy of the Uganda golf Union. I was taught how to handle myself mentally, and since I left South Africa, my game has gotten beter and better,” he told NBS Sport after his victory.
Nsubuga attributed his victory to long-term preparation and his familiarity with the Uganda Golf Club.
“This has not been a four-day preparation; it’s been a long-term preparation. I joined Uganda Golf Club as a member this year, with a target of the Open. I was practicing here every day so I have a good understanding of the course and I think that was the advantage I had over the other golfers,” Nsubuga said.
He also highlighted his exceptional putting skills, saying, “I am a very good putter when it comes to the green, and I am really happy it worked for me.”
The tournament’s closing ceremony was colourful, thanks to the generous support of the title sponsor, Johnnie Walker. Golfers and attendees were treated to a Big Flavour experience, reflecting the brand’s commitment to excellence and style.
Among the winners honoured at the ceremony were Conrad Odere, who won the hole-in-one prize of a Motorola smartphone RAZR 40, Titus Okwong, who claimed the nearest-to-the-pin award, and Felix Dusabe, securing the longest drive accolade, which included a Powerology Phantom Portable Bluetooth speaker and a Motorola Smart Phone Moto G.
The evening also featured a captivating performance by Michael Ouma and his band, who treated the audience to timeless Lingala and Soukous music, creating an atmosphere of celebration and joy.
Andrew Kilonzo, Uganda Breweries Managing Director, expressed Johnnie Walker’s commitment to supporting golf in Uganda, highlighting UBL’s longstanding relationship with the sport.
“These past couple of days have definitely been nothing short of exciting! As Johnnie Walker, all our efforts to support the game of golf in Uganda come as no surprise. For years now, our brands- Singleton and Tusker Malt Lager, have been at the forefront as the biggest supporters of golf in the country. Johnnie Walker has now assumed the responsibility to create a long-lasting relationship with the game of golf in Uganda, and we aren’t about to stop,” Kilonzo said.
The 2023 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open will return next week with the Pro-Arm and the Professionals Open, concluding the exciting chapter of this year’s tournament.
Uganda Amateur Golf Open Winners since 1932
1932 – H.Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1933 – H.Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1934 – R.W Hooker (Muthaiga Golf Club)
1935 – J.D Rankine (Uganda Golf Club)
1936 – J.D Rankine (Uganda Golf Clun)
1937 – H. Davidson (Uganda Golf Club)
1938 – R.W Bun (Mombasa Golf Club)
1939 – J.E Higginson
1940 – 1947 NOT HELD
1948 – D. F Stewart (Uganda Golf Club)
1949 – A.Q Roberts (Kitale Golf Club)
1950 – N.C Elwell (Uganda Golf Club)
1951 – N.C Elwell (Mwanza Golf Club)
1952 – J.R Cooke (Uganda Golf Club)
1953 – R.W Hooper (Nairobi Golf Club)
1954 – M.Johnson (Kabalae Golf Club)
1955 – J.R Oglive (Kitale Golf Club)
1956 – J.R Oglive (Kitale Golf Club)
1957 – Ian McAdam (Uganda Golf Club)
1958 – Brian Malone (Uganda Golf Club)
1959 – Ian McAdam (Uganda Golf Club)
1960 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1961 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1962 – Mike Johnson (Mbale Golf Club)
1963 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1964 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1965 – Muhammed Rajab (Nairobi Golf Club)
1966 – John Higginson (Uganda Golf Club)
1967 – I.Pattinson (Dar es Salaam Golf Club)
1968 – G.Burrows (Uganda Golf Club)
1969 – M.Rajab(Nairobi Golf Club)
1970 – M.Couma (Uganda Golf Club)
1971 – J. Kahugu (Sigona Golf Club)
1972 – Ben Okello (Masaka Golf Club)
1973 – Tom Taban (Uganda Golf Club)
1974 – Alex Okodan (Uganda Golf Club)
1975 – Ramathan Kayamba (Uganda Golf Club)
1976 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1977 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1978 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1979 – 1980 – Not held
1981 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1982 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1983 – Sadi Onito (Uganda Golf Club)
1984 – John Mucheru (Uganda Golf Club)
1985 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1986 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1987 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1988 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1989 – Allan Njoroge (Muthaiga Golf Club)
1990- Dedan Kagonyera (Kabale Golf Club)
1991 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1992 – Juma Jaffer (Uganda Golf Club)
1993 – John Gavin (Uganda Golf Club)
1994 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1995 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1996 – Sadi Onito (Jinja Golf Club)
1997 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
1998 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
1999 – Steven Birungi (Uganda Golf Club)
2000 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2001 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2002 – Deo Akope (Entebbe Golf Club)
2003 – Charles Yokwe (Jinja Golf Club)
2004 – David Odhiambo (Nyanza Golf Club)
2005 – Charles Yokwe (Jinja Golf Club)
2006 – Amos Kamya (Entebbe Golf Club)
2007 – Nicholas Rokoine (Muthaiga Golf Club)
2008 – George Olayo (Entebbe Golf Club)
2009 – Peter Ssendaula (Entebbe Golf Club)
2010 – Brian Mwesigwa (Kabale Golf Club)
2011 –Rogers Byaruhanga (Uganda Golf Club)
2012 – Phillip Kasozi (Uganda Golf Club)
2013 – Peter Ssendaula (Entebbe Golf Club)
2014 – Kitata (Entebbe Golf Club)
2015 – Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2016 – Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2017 – Ronald Rugumayo (Tooro Golf Club)
2018 – Ronald Otile (Tooro Golf Club)
2019 – Daniel Nduva (Nyali Golf and Country Club)
2020 – John Lejirma (Kenya Railway Golf Club)
2021 – Joseph Cwinya-ai (Tooro Golf Club)
2022 – Andrew Ssekibejja (Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa Club)
2022 – Godfrey Nsubuga ( Mehta club)
