Kasango, Mbabazi Shine As Absa Pro-Am Serves Up Thrills At Uganda Golf Club
David GOMBE
Grace Kasango and Patricia Mbabazi were outstanding at the 2026 Absa Pro-Am on Tuesday, each posting 42 points to claim the top individual honours.
Kasango topped the professional category with 42 points to win the Best Individual Man award, edging Ronald Rugumayo by a single point.
Rugumayo finished second with 41 points, while Nigeria’s Andrew Oche Odoh completed the professional podium on 40 points. Zambia’s Gabrile Chibale carded 39 points to finish fourth, with Abbey Bagalana rounding off the top five on 38 points.
In the amateur category, Mbabazi matched Kasango’s 42-point tally to take the Best Individual Lady accolade.
Isaiah Tugumenawe and Eddie Okila finished joint second with 41 points apiece, while Godwill Bindeeba was fourth on 40 points. Peace Musisi and Angelo Wasike shared fifth after returning 39 points each.
The competition also produced a cluster of impressive scores, with Charles Lutwama, Dickson Agaba, Allan Atuhairwe and Charity Nabwire all recording 38 points. Joshua Odong completed the listed standings with 37 points.
Team Prizes and Hole-in-Ones
The team competition was equally competitive, with the winning combination taking home UGX 3.5 million. The championship team comprised Keith Kalyegira, David Wandera, Dr Jackson Were, Abbey Bagalana, Michael Bironse, Godwill Bindeeba and Joseph Luyima.
The runners-up received UGX 2.5 million, while the third-placed team pocketed UGX 2 million.
The tournament was further highlighted by two hole-in-ones. Nelson Ojwiya aced the par-three 4th hole using a Callaway JAWS 52 wedge and a Titleist 3 Black ball, while Gabrile Chibale also registered an ace on the 17th hole with a pitching wedge.
Road to Magical Kenya Open
Beyond the individual and team prizes, the Absa Pro-Am offered an important pathway to the international stage, with 10 golfers earning slots for the 2026 Magical Kenya Open Pro-Am.
Absa Bank Uganda will meet travel and accommodation costs for five amateurs and five professionals, with professional qualification subject to meeting the required performance criteria. Should any professional slot remain unallocated, it will be passed to the next highest-ranked amateur on the leaderboard.
The initiative reinforces the Absa Pro-Am’s role in providing Ugandan golfers with an opportunity to compete at a higher level and gain valuable exposure on the regional circuit.
The event was staged as part of the Uganda Open Golf Championship at the Uganda Golf Club. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa also participated in the event.
Top Professionals
– Grace Kasango — 42 points
– Ronald Rugumayo — 41 points
– Andrew Oche Odoh — 40 points
– Gabrile Chibale — 39 points
– Abbey Bagalana — 38 points
Top Amateurs
– Patricia Mbabazi — 42 points
– Isaiah Tugumenawe — 41 points
– Eddie Okila — 41 points
– Godwill Bindeeba — 40 points
– Peace Musisi — 39 points
– Angelo Wasike — 39 points
– Charles Lutwama — 38 points
– Dickson Agaba — 38 points
– Allan Atuhairwe — 38 points
– Charity Nabwire — 38 points
– Joshua Odong — 37 points