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Pearl Of Africa Golf series 2026 return with increased prize money for professionals

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The second edition of the Pearl Of Africa (POA) Golf Series returns at the par-71 Entebbe Club on 1st – 4th April 2026 with the country’s elite amateurs and professionals presently fine-tuning their swings and putters in anticipation for the event.

For the professionals, there is more reason to intensify their practice after organizers enhanced their package.

This year’s kitty will be Shs27m, which represents a Shs10m increment from last year’s competition.

Grace Kasango swings off | Credit: Aminah Babirye

Grace Kasango, fresh from finishing second in this week’s Kilelesi Golf Series at Uganda Golf Club (UGC) in Kitante, is eagerly looking forward to the competition.

“I can’t wait,” the soft-spoken golfer noted. “I have been putting really well and if I can replicate what I have been doing lately, I will give myself chance. The POA Series are timely because we need each and every event to maintain our mindsets in the competitive frame of professional golfers,” Kasango added.

It promises to be a rich field of competition with Ronald Rugumayo, David Kamulindwa and Deo Akope among the top golfers expected on the draw.

The MTN-sponsored Rugumayo has been busy on the Big Easy Tour and will no doubt be one of the favourites.

Launched last year at UGC, the POA Series have designed to elevate the professional golf ecosystem in Uganda to international standards.

As the Series grow organically, the plan is to attract local and regional professionals to compete for a kitty that is expected to grow with every passing year.

While focus tends to be hogged by the professionals, the elite amateurs will also be in a competition of their own for a Shs5m prize package.

Last year’s events were won by John Musiimenta (UGC), Michael Tumusiime (Entebbe) and Joseph Kasozi (Lugazi).

The professional events went to Marvin Kibirige (UGC), Herman Mutebi (Entebbe) and Rugumayo (Lugazi).

Juliet Anena, the founder of the POA Series, is optimistic that the purpose for which the initiative was designed will be realized sooner rather than later.

One of the things we highlighted at the launch was our dream, with my partners, to establish a sustainable earning platform for pro golfers through consistent prize money, sponsorship opportunities and increased visibility. We shall not relent until we get there.

Juliet Anena, founder of Pearl of Africa Golf Series

POA Series have been supported by Exim Bank, Uganda Golf Union (UGU), Vivo Energy, Aquafina, Home Bliss, MTN Uganda and Case Medical Services.

It is anticipated that more partners will be unveiled in due course.

Organizers have also included a subsidiary category to allow golfers from all walks of life to compete on Saturday.

After Entebbe, the POA Series will go to Lugazi and finally end at Uganda Golf Club, Kampala.

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Bagalana ace lights up Day Two of Pro-Tee as Kamulindwa assumes lead

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David Kamulindwa played the best round on the second day of the MTN Pro-Tee at Entebbe Golf Club on Wednesday.

Kamulindwa fired seven birdies in the second round of a 5-under 66 at the par-71 course overlooking Lake Victoria.

Playing at his second home, Kamulindwa opened round two with a birdie, and that set the pace for the day. He went on to birdie holes 4, 9, 11, 13, 14, and 15, but scratched with a couple of bogeys on par-3 holes 6 and 16.

Vincent Byamukama maintained second place after playing a 1-under 70 and is one shot behind the leader.

Meanwhile, Day One leader Rodell Gaita struggled on the back nine en route to a one-over 72 to slip to third on the leaderboard. Gaita bogeyed par-4 holes 14 and 17 and registered a double bogey on par-3 hole 16.

Andrew Ssekibejja moved up nine places into fourth place after playing the second-best round of the day. The Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa golfer played a 3-under 68 and is tied for fourth place with Abraham Ainamani with a gross total of 142.

Day One leader Marvin Kibirige had a round to forget as he returned a 4-over 75 and slipped to sixth place.

Irene Nakalembe, who has played an identical 2-over 73 in the two rounds, is the only lady who made the cut.

Abbey Bagalana’s ace

The brightest moment of round two of the Pro-Tee was on par-3 hole 12. While Gaita and Deo Akope birdied the hole, Abbey Bagalana, with a Ping S55, hit an eye-catching hole-in-one, the seventh of his career.

“You don’t come to the course expecting a hole-in-one, but for as long as you’re playing and you do practice, things like that happen because you’re aiming for the hole. It was the right club, I was in the zone, and I made it,” Bagalana said.

Round 3 Draw

The Pro-Tee continues on Thursday with Round Three, as the players who made the cut continue to battle for a lion’s share of Shs. 15,000,000.

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Que eyes breakthrough at Luisita as 46 Filipinos join ADT Open field

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LUISITA — A 46-strong local contingent will tee it up on Wednesday in the $100,000 (around P6 million) Bingo Plus Philippine ADT Open at the historic Luisita course here, with the most established ace in the field chasing a career-first win at the Robert Trent Jones-designed layout.

“Yes, I haven’t. That’s why I am motivated,” Angelo Que said, referring to a victory at the storied venue that has hosted several major international and local events, including multiple Philippine Opens. “It’s never too late to win one (here), although the course is playing much tougher from what I am used to.”

The 47-year-old Que, who joined the traditional Pro-Am on Tuesday, noted that the course “has gotten longer” after recent rains softened the fairways over the past few days, adding, “The greens are also slow (during the event) and that could be a problem if they decide to speed them up for the tournament.”

This marks the second major professional event hosted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines this year, following the President’s Cup at Wack Wack in January. A third is set with the Asian Tour’s International Series Philippine Open at Manila Southwoods later this year.

Que, who won the last Philippine Golf Tour stop at Caliraya in come-from-behind fashion last month, said that with a full field that also includes 82 international entries, the battle for the title is wide open. He also named Sean Ramos, a past ADT leg winner, and big-hitting Keanu Jahns as two other Filipinos to watch.

Clyde Mondilla, another former Philippine Open champion like Que, is also in the field, along with Fidel Concepcion, who broke through as a pro last year at Apo Golf in Davao—a layout that shares striking similarities with Luisita.

A lean but talented amateur field will also see action. Shinichi Suzuki, a multiple-time Philippine team member playing out of Manila Southwoods, leads a six-man amateur group that includes Rolando Bregente and Chris Remata.

This will be the sixth of 13 stops on the ADT season, which will also stage tournaments in Thailand, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia.

The highest-ranked Filipino in the ADT Order of Merit entering Luisita at No. 10, Ramos comes off a three-man playoff loss in the ADT Players Championship in Malaysia last month and will be eager to bounce back on home soil.

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NCBA junior golf series concludes season 6 with strong talent & growing international impact

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Uganda’s junior golf development received another major boost over the weekend as the NCBA Junior Golf Series concluded its sixth season at Uganda Golf Club, showcasing a growing pool of young talent and strengthening the country’s presence on the international golfing stage.

The grand finale held on June 7, brought together some of Uganda’s best junior golfers, capping a highly competitive season that highlighted the steady growth of the sport and the increasing opportunities available for young players to compete locally and internationally.

Since its launch in 2024, the NCBA Junior Golf Series has become a key platform for nurturing young golfers aged between six and 18 years.

The programme provides structured competition, mentorship and exposure, helping young players develop their skills while preparing them for higher levels of competition.

The series operates under the broader U.S. Kids Golf Uganda Local Tour, which has expanded significantly in recent years and now supports more than 200 competitive junior golfers across the country.

This season, NCBA Bank Uganda strengthened its commitment to inclusive sports development by sponsoring 10 less-advantaged junior golfers, providing them with access to training, equipment and tournament participation opportunities.

The initiative seeks to address one of the biggest challenges facing junior golf in Uganda—limited financial resources that often prevent talented youngsters from fully participating in the sport.

To date, NCBA’s sponsorship programme has supported 31 junior golfers, with seven of them progressing to Uganda’s national team.

This achievement highlights the programme’s growing success in creating a pathway from grassroots participation to elite competition.

Several of the sponsored golfers have gone on to represent Uganda in international tournaments held in South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates, raising the country’s profile in junior golf.

Among the standout performers is Peter Mayende, who participated in the UAE Golf Championship, while Daniel Kawalya represented Uganda at the All Africa Junior Championships.

At the Victoria Cup 2026, Uganda finished second behind Kenya, but Peter Mayende’s team remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, demonstrating the quality and competitiveness of Uganda’s emerging golf talent.

NCBA Bank Uganda also extended its support to the Uganda Inter-Schools Golf Championship 2026 as part of its broader efforts to promote grassroots sports development.

Speaking after the season finale, Edgar B. Tusiime, Head of Marketing, Communications and Citizenship at NCBA Bank Uganda, said the programme continues to play a critical role in shaping the next generation of golfers and leaders.

“The NCBA Junior Golf Series continues to demonstrate the transformative role of sport in shaping discipline, resilience and opportunity among young people. We are encouraged by the calibre of talent emerging through this platform and the increasing confidence with which these juniors are competing at higher levels,” Tusiime said.

“Our focus remains on building sustainable pathways that enable young Ugandans to realise their full potential, both on and off the course.”

Despite the progress, access to the sport remains a challenge for many talented young golfers, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds.

Stakeholders say continued investment from the private sector, schools and development partners will be critical in ensuring that more young people can benefit from the opportunities golf offers.

Les Brown, Coach and Director of the U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour Uganda, praised the impact of the partnership in transforming junior golf development.

“The NCBA Junior Golf Series has introduced consistency and structure into junior golf development in Uganda. We are seeing more young players not only enter the sport but remain engaged and competitive. With continued investment, Uganda is well-positioned to become a dominant force in junior golf within the region,” Brown said.

Through its partnership with U.S. Kids Golf, the series provides a direct pathway for Ugandan juniors to compete on the global stage.

Top-performing players gain priority status and opportunities to qualify for prestigious tournaments such as the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, the Rome Classic and the Big 5 Junior Golf Championship.

As Season Six comes to a close, the NCBA Junior Golf Series leaves behind a stronger talent pipeline, increased international exposure for Ugandan golfers and renewed optimism about the future of the sport.

With more young players earning opportunities to represent Uganda abroad, the programme is steadily positioning the country as an emerging force in junior golf across Africa.

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