The fairways of Namulonge Golf Club came alive with competition, celebration and environmental awareness as the sixth edition of the Namulonge Ladies Open concluded in style over the weekend.
In a tournament that blended elite golf with a growing vision for women’s sport and sustainability, Peace Kabasweka delivered a dramatic final-round performance to clinch victory.
Kabasweka produced a stunning eagle on the par-four 18th hole and a birdie on the par-four third hole to recover from earlier bogeys and edge rival Meron Komugisha in a tense finish.
Her final round of three-over-par 73 proved enough to separate her from the chasing pack and cap three days of intense competition at the rapidly expanding golf facility.
Speaking during the event, Lady Captain Sheila Aine described the 2026 edition as one of the club’s most significant yet, not only because of the competition but because it marked a symbolic step toward the club’s long-term ambition of transforming its nine-hole course into a full 18-hole championship layout.
“We are proud of this year’s tournament because it introduced something new, tree planting, which has never happened here before,” Aine said.
“It is part of the expansion journey of our course from nine holes to 18 holes. Members are now physically seeing that the course is growing.”
The annual tournament attracted about 130 golfers across various categories, including silver, bronze, seniors and male participants, who traditionally compete on Saturday during the ladies’ showcase.
The silver category, reserved for the top-performing golfers, stretched over three days from Thursday to Saturday and featured a demanding 54-hole contest.
Bronze players formed the middle-tier category, while senior golfers and invited male participants added depth to the weekend action.
Aine explained that pairings evolved according to players’ performances after the opening round, creating more competitive match-ups as the tournament progressed.
At stake for the overall winners was a trophy and a cash prize package worth Shs1.8m, shared among the top four finishers.
Beyond the scorecards and trophies, the tournament carried a broader message centred on women’s empowerment and environmental stewardship.
In partnership with IPT, players participated in a tree-planting exercise throughout the day, with golfers returning after completing their rounds to plant seedlings around the course in an initiative spearheaded by Equity Bank Uganda.
The bank planted 300 trees as part of the club’s expansion drive toward an 18-hole facility. For club leaders, the exercise symbolised more than environmental awareness. It reflected the roots of a larger vision for the future.
The tournament climaxed with a prize-giving ceremony and the traditional “19th hole” celebrations, where winners, sponsors and participants gathered to reflect on the success of the event.
Aine paid special tribute to Equity Bank Uganda for its continued support of women’s golf in Uganda.
“They have supported us throughout the journey. Supporting women’s golf is not something we take for granted. We are grateful and hope they continue partnering with us,” she said.
As the sun set over Namulonge’s rolling greens, the sixth Ladies Open left behind more than champions and trophies. It also planted ambition for a bigger course, stronger women’s golf and a greener sporting future.
