Five ladies add fresh dimension as the Johnnie Walker Uganda Pro Open tees off
As the 2026 Johnnie Walker Uganda Professional Golf Open tees off on Wednesday, September 2 at the par-72 Uganda Golf Club, focus will be on the five lady pros in action.
Tanzania’s Angel Eaton is set to make a return to the Uganda Golf Club, joining three leading Ugandan female professionals and a Nigerian.
The tournament, running up to Saturday, September 5, has attracted a strong professional field, that will be competing for a Shs 150m prize kitty.
Eaton, now a teaching professional, joins Uganda’s Flavia Namakula – the national team coach, Irene Nakalembe and Evah Magala.
The other female professional is Cythina Maurice from Nigeria.
Eaton’s return to Kitante carries a touch of nostalgia. She won the Uganda Ladies Open at the same course in 2017, when she was still an amateur, and nine years later, returns as an established professional.
The Ugandan trio will provide a strong home challenge. Namakula and Nakalembe are both former Uganda Ladies Open champions.
While Magala did not claim that particular title, her inclusion adds further depth to a group expected to provide one of the interesting storylines of the championship.
Meanwhile, on the men’s field, much of the attention will be on Ronald Rugumayo, who comes into the Open with considerable momentum.
The South Africa-based Ugandan has enjoyed an impressive August on home soil, after coming second in the UGC Ladies Open professional event, and winning the recently concluded Watoto tournament.
That recent form has raised expectations as he now turns his attention to the biggest professional title on the Ugandan calendar.
He is also chasing a place in Ugandan golf history. A victory would make him the first Ugandan to win the professional Uganda Open since Deo Akope in 2014, ending a run in which foreign players have dominated the championship.
Rugumayo’s task, however, will be complicated by a sizeable international contingent that includes reigning champion Celestine Nsazuwera of Rwanda, as well as a strong group of Sunshine Development Tour professionals, notably Nigeria’s Sunday Olapade, Godwin Okoko, Tajudeen Ajayi and Solomon Ideria.
Former champions in Zambia’s Greg Snow and Zimbabwe’s Visitor Mapwanya are also players to watch these next four days.
Kenya has also brought a wealth of regional experience, led by seven-time champion ‘Mzee Wakazi’ Dismas Indiza, David Wakhu, among others.
Uganda’s challenge will not rest on Rugumayo alone, homeboy Grace Kasango has enjoyed a series of victories, and he’s a player to watch. Experienced professionals including Phillip Kasozi, Rodel Gaita and Abraham Ainamani, will also be looking to keep the title at home.
This year open series are headlined by Johnnie Walker as lead sponsor.
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