Patrick Quarcoo has described the late Ezra Bunyenyezi as one of Africa's greatest businessmen and a visionary. He said this at the Nairobi memorial for the fallen Bunyenyezi, who died on December 18.
"Bunyenyezi was a stylish businessman and great thinker. Without Ezra we could not have started Capital Radio," Quarcoo said December 23 in Nairobi as he narrated his early encounters with Ezra Bunyenyezi in the nineties Uganda. Capital FM went on air in Uganda on December 31, 1993.
Quarcoo added that, "I have to say we have lost one of Africa's most visionary men. He advocated for open borders, for business, he believed in private enterprise at a time when it was not a cool thing."
Bunyenyezi was an international businessman with stakes across the region. He founded the Uganda Travel Bureau in Uganda.
He was also a keen golfer, and for a period was President of the Uganda Golf Union.
Quarcoo, is a Ghanaian Kenya-based founder and Chief Executive Officer of Radio Africa Group, which is an umbrella of among Kenya's leading media channels on print, digital, TV and radio. This include KISS 100, Classic 105, X FM, Radio Jambo, East FM, the Star newspaper and KISS TV. Quarcoo and his Radio Africa Group co-founder, William Pike also own two radio stations in Uganda, Capital Radio and Beat FM.
A second memorial was held today December 27, at All Saints in Kampala. ( see videos below)
Prominent City lawyer, business man and former MP Elly Karuhanga gave the main tribute at the memorial in Kampala presided over by the Archbishop of Uganda Dr Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu.
Karuhanga is Chairman of Uganda Chamber of Mines & Petroleum, and also heads the boards of dfcu Limited, Rwenzori Water, British American Tobacco, Minet Uganda and Private Sector Foundation Uganda.
The memorial in Kampala was attended by the family of President Uhuru Kenyatta, a personal friend of Bunyenyezi.
Bunyeyenzi will be buried in Mityana tomorrow December 28.
Bunyenyezi (left) with colleauge Kiprono Kittony, Chairman Radio Africa Group and CEO Capital Realtime Ltd. COURTESY PHOTO
UPDATED (New Video)
EZRA Bunyenyezi passed on Friday, December 18, 2020 at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi aged 76.
If the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) at Kitante was a country, they would have now declared a month of national mourning!
Before we get there, this was supposed to be an obituary, but I felt I had inadequate information for the task, thus the format I will adopt. This is actually a call, for an obituary.
I tried to look through my twitter feed for details on the death of the icon, got just one or two mentions in Uganda. The rest were from Rwanda and Kenya. Felt Sad!
If journalist-turned-golfer Mark Namanya gets some time, I pray he writes a proper Obituary, and I will re-publish it here.
I first met Bunyenyezi sometime about 1990-1991. I was one of a handful of a new generation of sports writers then, who was able to venture outside football - the staple food then.
I was to have registered for the newly introduced Mass Communication degree at Makerere a year earlier, but somehow did not do so!
To make up for the mistake, I literally abandoned the English, literature and French that Makerere thought I should study, and went full time into reporting for the national newspaper New Vision whenever I could. I focused on sports, especillay the ones that had little coverage then......golf, cricket, athletics, volleyball, table tennis.
Golf was easy, because my dad was a golfer in the 70s and 80s when his pockets were deeper. I actually played a round or two with caddies at Tororo golf course in the eighties.
Golfers are generally considered snobbish, especially when talking about their game, but since I knew them, it was easy for me to have the confidence as a 20 year old to walk into the intimidating UGC at Kitante. There, Uganda's 'elite' gathered to hit a white ball around the course, as they discussed business deals.
Bunyenyezi had deep pockets, was a businessman, socialite, entrepreneur, confident, big hearted, positive.... so little wonder he was soon elected head of the Golf Union. On top of all this, the flamboyant golfer also owned the then very successful and pioneering Uganda Travel Bureau.
Golf has long been known as a gentleman’s sport, and he was the perfect gentleman. He liked the fine things in life. God blessed him with it all, including discipline.
Former minister Amanya Mushega, a recent convert to golf, recently noted in his controversial NTV interview that " It is important for leaders to do some sport. It teaches you three things; it helps you manage and control body and mind; you learn the umpire's word is final, and it tells you the passage of time." (click for Mushega interview)
Bunyenyezi (RIP)
When he became Golf Union boss, he did not take journalists for granted. He was one of the first to realize the importance of publicity and the role journalists play in promoting the game. He always made sure we - one or two golf writers - had a field day during, for example, the Uganda Open.
He would personally check on you to make sure you are comfortable, you have had a meal coupon (meals at the UGC cost an arm an leg), a T-shirt, and a drink, and transport back. He would commandeer any car to get you back to office...... The kind of thing John Waigo continued to do for us at the 19th hole, years later.
Bunyenyezi's ability to connect to the powers in government and private sector, raised the profile of Ugandan golf.
By then I was covering the great Dedan Kagonyera (RIP), one of my new friends at the club, as he dethroned legend Sadi Onito.
My excitement sometimes cropped into my writing, and I recall getting a rebuke from my Sports Editor David Sseppuuya for focussing daily only on Dedan, who was anyway set to win eventually.
Ugandan golf went back to old mode when Bunyenyezi handed over, and eventually left his Ugandan base to spread his wings in Kenya and Rwanda. I continue to get time for golf occasionally, and therefore will miss him very much.
Bunyenyezi is survived with his wife of 40 years Chantal and three children Gad, Keza and Nshuti.
Before he left his main base, I had risen to become sports editor, and I am sure I edited this article (bottom), when the country lost another Uganda Golf Union president.
It was written by Namanya, a reporter I had signed 'for a big transfer fee' from the Daily Monitor.
I struggled to trace this article and others, and pray in future that New Vision gives unlimited access to their archives for veterans like us who worked 20+years there. It will be good for their product actually, as it will show how rich their archives are.
READ THE ARTICLE BOTTOM
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R.I.P Ezra Bunyenyezi. Thank you for showing me that humility and humour always beats wealth despite you having all of them.
Fare thee well uncle Ezra Bunyenyezi .. your grace your humour your strength will remain with us for a long time. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Sad news today. We shall miss your hearty laughter and encouraging words of wisdom always. Rest with the angels Mr Ezra Bunyenyezi. May God rest your soul in eternal peace and give your fam strength during this difficult time. Amen 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/ai76NS6G1S
The few times I had a chance to spend time with Ezra Bunyenyezi, I left a better entrepreneur. He asked the right questions, made sense of things quickly, and got me to feel energized, motivated, and capable. We will miss a very real serial entrepreneur! Rest in Peace! pic.twitter.com/jDtvjEoAmr
I don't think I ever met a person like Uncle Ezra Bunyenyezi. Since I was a child he always lit up the room with his booming voice & great sense of humor.I heard he passed on this morning😥. May God Watch over your family. You will be missed all over the world.#RestInPeace 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/Y3KiTugGzr
An amazing human being. An African giant. A serial entrepreneur in media, insurance, travel, logistics, fintech, and more. A star which has returned to its place in the night sky. Ezra Bunyenyezi, your legacy continues to inspire generations to come. Rest peacefully. pic.twitter.com/BDSXPKFgPi
Very sad indeed. Ezra Bunyenyezi was so many good things in one package - humility, knowledge, resourceful, kind, smart and related with young and old alike.
Ezra Bunyenyezi, you were a good man & a good friend and a humble soul ... Though a child of Rwanda & big investor in Dubai, you chose Kenya as your country ... May you rest in the bosom of Abraham. Rest In Peace Ezra. pic.twitter.com/euxO6VQIRd
Such pain to learn of your sad demise, my friend. Polished, urbane and civilised to a fault, yet wearing the middle name of humility. Fond memories of dinner at your house where elegance is displayed like crockery. You allowed me to learn that the rich also love and deeply so.
....as a person living with disability, my friend you taught me confidence. Holding my hands in phone as you urged me to drive "on the wrong side of the road" in Kigali by just the words, "Enoch...think!"...... I salute you, Ezra Bunyenyezi.
BRIG. Gad Wilson Toko was better known to many for his Air Force and political career, but those close to him will also remember him for his love of the game of golf.
Even politicians have a soft side, and to Toko, golf was it. He distinguished himself by being witty and with a high sense of humour - the characteristic that makes one a complete golfer.
He also advocated for the maintenance of high golfing standards - ethical and otherwise. He often teased members at Kitante Golf Club about the high standards the club had when he, together with 'Sir' Richard Kaijuka and Ezra Bunyenyezi were at the helm of the club.
It could be said that it was a mistake to have him elected president of the Uganda Golf Union, because that meant the local game's best MC was lost to management, or worse, he had to take up both roles.
The handicap 16 golfer was, on his return from exile elected golf union's president in 1999 replacing George Egaddu.
Before going to exile in the 80's, Toko had been an active golfer and was handicap 12.
Although never the most successful of golfers, Toko's unique administrative qualities improved the standards of UGU.
"He streamlined development programme to the youths who hold the key to the future; something which was a bright idea," said Bunyenyezi, Toko's close friend.
He died serving the game on Sunday.
Toko's death is the latest in a series of disaster to the golfing fraternity.
This year has claimed former national champion Juma Jaffar, Emmanuel Mwondha, George Semafumu and Juma Omony.
The late Toko was going to play golf at the Jinja Open when he perished in a tragic motor accident.
Toko's political background as a politician and a defacto vice president in the late Gen. Okello Lutwa military junta brought him controversy.
But the times he rose to speak as UGU chief at various events, Toko left audiences cracking in laughter.
New champion Nduva from Kenya. PHOTO LOUIS JADWONG
1⃣D Nduva 🇰🇪 ✳ 286 📷
2⃣ S Njogu 🇰🇪 ✳ 287
3⃣ S Njoroge 🇰🇪 ✳ 288
4⃣ J Cwinyaai 🇺🇬 ✳ 293
5⃣ D Asaba 🇺🇬 ✳ 295
6⃣ R Otile 🇺🇬 ✳ 295 💠Venue: Lake Victoria Serena 💠 LIVE: Results (click) Kigo, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | Kenyan Daniel Nduva is the new Uganda Amateur Golf Open champion. The 23-year old Nyali Golf Club player carded a 72-hole score of 286, to secure a one-stroke come-from-behind victory. He carded 75, 70, 71, 70 in the four rounds. Nduva becomes the first Kenyan to take Uganda's most prestigious title since 2007, when fellow countryman Nicholas Rokoine from Muthaiga Golf Club won. "We came here to win, and I am happy it turned out as we planned. I dedicate this victory to my mum, who did everything to make me who I am, and helped me start playing the game of golf," Nduva said. Simon Njogu, who had led all of the three opening rounds, failed to secure a play-off opportunity, when he missed a birdie on the final hole.
The top three places were taken by the Kenyans, with Samuel Njoroge setting the early pressure in the final round with a hole-in-one on hole 4. Defending champion Ronald Otile conceded defeat. " It did not work the way I had planned on the final day. I had wanted to play one or two under in the first 9 holes, but my tee shots did not work out. The 8 strokes on hole 13 killed it all." "I will not come back next year. I will leave the championship contest for the much younger Ugandan lads," he said. Otile had put up a phenomenal come-back after a disastrous 82 strokes on day one, to make the pressure group on the final day on Saturday. The 24-year-old carded an astonishing 66 - six under par on Friday, courtesy of a eagle, six birdies and 9 pars. Otile rewrote the record he had set just a day earlier with a four under par 68 strokes as he chased a pack of Kenyans, who dominated the 78th Uganda Amateur Golf Open from day one. Uganda's best player was Joseph Cwinyaai, seven strokes behind at 293, followed by Denis Asaba who carded at 295. The four-day 72 hole Amateur Open is Ugandan golf's most prestigious title. It is held a few days after the Ladies Open that was won by Uganda's Martha Babirye, and a week before the professional Open. There will be a Pro Am tournament on Tuesday, before Dismas Indiza, from Mumias Club Kenya takes to the course to defend his Professional Open title. He leads a Kenyan team of 24 professionals to the event. Tweets by CastleLiteUg
Kenya's Njoroge tees off yesterday.
He is the overnight leader. PHOTO CASTLE-LITE MEDIA
SATURDAY 💠 Tee off 12.30pm ✳ S Njoroge 🇰🇪 213 ✳ S Njogu 🇰🇪 215 ✳ R Otile 🇺🇬 216 💠 Tee off 12.20pm ✳ D Nduva 🇰🇪 216 ✳ J Cwinyaai 🇺🇬 221 ✳ D Asaba 🇺🇬 223 💠Venue: Lake Victoria Serena 💠 LIVE: Results (click) Final day draw (bottom) Kigo, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | Kenya Railway Golf Club veteran Samuel Chege Njoroge gets an opportunity today to break an 11 year jinx for foreign entrants at the Uganda Amateur Golf Open. Ugandans have won the last 11 Opens, with Njoroge's fellow countryman Nicholas Rokoine from Muthaiga Golf Club the last foreign entrant to win the title in 2007. Overnight leader Njoroge marches into today's final round with a score of 213 from 54 holes, which is a two stroke lead over another Kenyan Simon Njogu, and three over defending champion Ronald Otile. The long-hitting Kenya Railway Club golfer has finished in the top 10 in his past two attempts, with a 4th place finish in 2017. " This is a new course... everyone is new to it so whoever swings well, and whoever will have luck will win. I made some mistakes on Friday and if I try to avoid the mistakes, I believe I can win it," the Kenyan ace said. Njoroge carded 68 to take the lead Friday, and is one of only five who have played under par in the first three rounds. Three of the five are in today's pressure group that promises a thrilling battle to a full gallery at the prestigious and picturesque Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa course at Kigo. The Kenyans will however have to contend with favourite Otile, who has stormed from being 13 behind the day one leader Njogu, to playing in the pressure group.
Friday's all Kenyan pressure group heading to the back nine.
PHOTO LOUIS JADWONG
After a disastrous start, that saw him card 82 strokes on Wednesday, he remained optimistic, and warned that, "It is a game. I played +10 today, but I can still play -10 tomorrow." He has come close to doing that already, hitting a course record 4 under 68 on Thursday, then breaking the record Friday with a stunning 6 under par 66 that had an eagle, six birdies and nine par scores in the 18 holes - completely demystifying the water hazards that dominate the course.
Otile
What will not be good news for his opponents is the fact that after his six-under par score on Friday, Otile still felt there is room for improvement. "I need to play the course as it is and on regulations. I'll also need to commit on putting tomorrow," he said, when asked about his thoughts ahead of D-day. Last year, he came from 5 strokes behind in the very last 6 holes to win. A thrilling final day awaits golf fans at the 78th Uganda Amateur Golf Open. (watch video here) Uganda Amateur Open Main Event Draw Day 4 - Uganda Open 2019 by The Independent Magazine on Scribd
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)
▶ Otile DAY 3 #UGGolfOpen19 ⛳ ✳ 66 strokes from 18 holes >> - 6 under par ✳ 1 Eagle ✳ 6 birdies ✳ 9 Pars 💠 DAY 3 - LEADER-BOARD LIVE ✳ S Njoroge 🇰🇪 213 ✳ S Njogu 🇰🇪 215 ✳ R Otile 🇺🇬 216 ✳ D Nduva 🇰🇪 216 ✳ J Cwinyaai 🇺🇬 221 ✳ D Asaba 🇺🇬 223 💠Venue: Lake Victoria Serena 💠 LIVE: Results (click) Final day draw (bottom) Entebbe, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | Ronald Otile showed he will not lose his Uganda Amateur Golf Open title without a fight by breaking the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa course record to charge into Saturday's final day 'pressure group'. The 24-year-old carded an astonishing 66 - six under par on Friday, courtesy of a eagle, six birdies and 9 pars. Otile rewrote the record he had set just a day earlier with a four under par 68 strokes as he chased a pack of Kenyans, who have dominated the 78th Uganda Amateur Golf Open from day one. After a disastrous start, that saw him card 82 strokes on Wednesday, he had remained optimistic, and warned that, "It is a game. I played +10 today, but I can still play -10 tomorrow."
Today's all Kenyan pressure group heading to the back nine. PHOTO LOUIS JADWONG
What will not be good news for his opponents is the fact that after his six-under par score today, Otile still feels there is room for improvement. "I need to play the course as it is and on regulations. I'll also need to commit on putting tomorrow," he said, when asked about his thoughts ahead of D-day. From being 13 strokes behind the leader on day one, Otile will be in the 'pressure group' for the final round on Saturday. He will tee off at 12.30pm in a group of three that includes Njoroge and Njogu, and this time he will be only three strokes behind.
Njogu has led day one and two. PHOTO UG GOLF MEDIA
💠 LEADER-BOARD day 2 #UGGolfOpen19 ⛳ ✳144 S Njogu Par 69 75 🇰🇪 ✳145 D Nduva +1 75 70 🇰🇪 ✳145 S Chege +1 73 72 🇰🇪 ✳147 P Mwangi +3 71 76 🇰🇪 ✳148 W Odera +4 75 73 🇰🇪 ✳149 J Cwinyaai +5 76 73 🇺🇬 ✳149 Z Khan +4 75 74 🇰🇪 ✳150 R Otile +6 82 68 🇺🇬 ✳151 D Asaba +7 76 75 🇺🇬 💠Venue: Lake Victoria Serena 💠 LIVE: Results (click) 💠 DAY 3 draw (bottom) Entebbe, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | Kenya's Simon Njogu Muthoni struggled with a 75 but held onto his overall lead as the 78th Uganda Amateur Golf Open reached the halfway point on Thursday. The Naivasha Great Rift Valley Club golfer could only manage one birdie on a course where he picked five for an astonishing 69 strokes on day one. He enters round three Friday with a total 144 strokes, a lead of one with 36 holes to go. Breathing behind his neck now are a group of fellow Kenyans who cut his 2 stroke lead, and more excitingly for the home fans, two Ugandan pre-tournament favourites. Joseph Cwinyaai moved up six places into the chasing pack, and was joined by defending champion Ronald Otile who stepped up 34 places into 8th position. US-based Otile picked up seven birdies as he produced the tournament's best score and new course record - a stunning four-under par 68 - to remind the field that he is still capable of making the kind of comeback that earned him his third title last year. "It is a game. I played +10 today, but I can still play -10 tomorrow," he had warned before he started today's 18 holes. From 13 behind, he is 6 strokes behind with 36 holes to go. The four-day 72 hole Amateur Open is Ugandan golf's most prestigious title and has attracted 101 golfers from Ethiopia, Sweden Uganda, Kenya, USA, South Africa, Pakistan and Tanzania. This year's event at the par-72 picturesque Lake Victoria Serena course at Kigo, has come a few days after the Ladies Open that was won by Uganda's Martha Babirye, and a week before the professional Open. There will be a Pro Am tournament next Tuesday, before Dismas Indiza, from Mumias Club, takes to the course to defend his Professional Open title. He leads a Kenyan team of 24 professionals to the event.
FILE PHOTO Kenyan Njogu (right) with a colleague, at a past event. He has found it very easy so far. PHOTO @UgandaGolf
💠 LEADER-BOARD ⛳ ✳ S Njogu -3 69 🇰🇪 ✳ P Mwangi -1 71 🇰🇪 ✳ S Chege +1 73 🇰🇪 ✳ I Makokha +2 74 🇰🇪 ✳ D Nduva +3 75 🇰🇪 ✳ R Gaita +3 75 🇺🇬 ✳ J Basabose +3 75 🇺🇬 ✳ A Bagalana +3 75 🇺🇬 ▶ R Otile +10 82 🇺🇬 💠Venue: Lake Victoria Serena LIVE: Results (click) Entebbe, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | Ugandans are nowhere to be seen on the leader board at the 78th Uganda Amateur Golf Open that teed off on Wednesday. Simon Njogu from Naivasha's Great Rift Valley Club in Kenya carded a 69, 3 under par as he stormed to a two stroke lead on day-one of Uganda's most prestigious golf tournament. Kenyans took the first five spots on the leader-board after 18 holes, with the best Ugandan six strokes behind, and defending champion Ronald Otile a staggering 13 behind. US-based Otile is seeking a fourth title and will have to step up his game in the next three rounds. "I struggled a bit on the back nine..... I could not make puts yet I was on the green on regulation," Otile, 24, told NTV Uganda. "It is a game. I played +10 today, but I can still play -10 tomorrow. I am sure it will be better tomorrow," he added. With the par-72 course built on the banks of Lake Victoria, most of the fairway has water hazards, which experts say, intimidates many golfers playing at Kigo for the first time. "It's full of water....both Ugandan and foreign players were intimidated by the waters on all fairways," a golf pundit said of the picturesque Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa course at Kigo. "Few Ugandans play regularly on this course that is why they are struggling. The course is very windy, and the greens are very fast which favours many Kenyans who are used to playing on these kind of course," Ugandan golf analyst Phillip Corry told The Independent. "Day two will be better for them, so we expect them to bounce back, having got a feel of the course," he added. The four-day 72 hole Amateur Open is Ugandan golf's most prestigious title. This year's event has come a few days after the Ladies Open that was won by Uganda's Martha Babirye, and a week before the cash spinning professional Open. (DAY TWO DRAW BOTTOM) There will be a Pro Am tournament in between, before Dismas Indiza, from Mumias Club, takes to the course to defend his Professional Open title. He leads a Kenyan team of 24 professionals to the event.
✳⛳Uganda Amateur Open Golf Championships 2019 ✅ 🏌️♀️Ladies Open ✅ Champ Martha Babirye ➡🏌️♂️Amateur Open Sept 4-7 ➡ Pro-Am ➡ Professional Open 💠Venue: Lake Victoria Serena Entebbe, Uganda | LOUIS JADWONG | All eyes will be on three-time winner Ronald Otile when the 78th Uganda Amateur Open tees off at 7.30am today at the picturesque Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa course just outside Kampala. 'Lion Heart' Otile joined Ugandan golf greats with his third Amateur Open title last year, after an amazing comeback from 5 strokes behind, in the last 6 holes, on the final day. "It was my Lion Heart" that did it, he said, explaining how he did not lose hope after carding 9 on hole 11. He clinched the title with an amazing winning putt on the final hole. Otile, then only 23, became only the eighth golfer to win three titles in the 77-year history of the Uganda Amateur Golf Open.
AMATEUR OPEN TOP 7 in 2018 ➡ Ronald Otile 🇺🇬 285 (+1) ➡ Edwin Mudanyi 🇰🇪 (+2) ➡ John Karichu 🇰🇪 (+2) ➡ Herman Mutebi 🇺🇬 (+6) ➡ Joseph Cwinyai 🇺🇬 (+7) ➡ Daniel Baguma 🇺🇬 (+7) ➡ Joel Basalaine 🇺🇬 (+12) The four-day 72 hole Amateur Open is Ugandan golf's most prestigious title. This year's event has come a few days after the Ladies Open that was won by Uganda's Martha Babirye, and a week before the professional Open. (FULL DRAW BOTTOM) Otile's greatest competition is again likely to come from Kenyan amateurs, who will be led by Samuel Njoroge of Kenya Railways Club. There will be a Pro Am tournament next Tuesday, before Dismas Indiza, from Mumias Club, takes to the course to defend his Professional Open title. He leads a Kenyan team of 24 professionals to the event. 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) DRAW 2019
