The tournament, now a fixture on the Uganda Ladies Golf Union (ULGU) circuit, drew over 80 participants from various golf clubs of Ugan

On a sunlit weekend along the Gayaza–Zirobwe Road in Namulonge, a quiet agricultural township was transformed into a stage for elegance, endurance, and elite competition.  The Mary Louise Simkins Memorial Golf Club hosted the Ladies Open Golf Championship, a flagship event on Uganda’s women’s golf calendar and a rising symbol of progress in the sport’s regional landscape.

The tournament, now a fixture on the Uganda Ladies Golf Union (ULGU) circuit, drew over 80 participants from various golf clubs of Uganda. With its signature blend of competitive fire and community spirit, the 2025 edition lived up to its reputation as a proving ground for the region’s most talented female golfers and a launchpad for the next generation.

The Mary Louise Simkins course, laid out amid Namulonge’s tranquil farmland and bordered by the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) fields, is known for its compact, undulating fairways and deceptive green complexes. The course offered no easy shots demanding both strategic club selection and mental composure from every competitor. The gentle terrain belied the complexity of a layout that rewards accuracy far more than raw power.

Among the favorites was Peace Kabasweka, defending champion and national team star, whose calm demeanor and short-game mastery have made her a force across East African fairways. In the spotlight also was Irene Nakalembe, Uganda’s long-hitting, fearless competitor, renowned for her aggressive style and steely nerves under pressure.

The first round was played under mild skies and light winds ideal scoring conditions. Nakalembe made the most of it, carding a round of 74 with three birdies to take a slender lead. Kabasweka stayed within striking distance, navigating the trickier back nine with steady pars and a highlight chip-in on the 12th.

On Saturday, the pressure began to mount. While several players struggled with the swirling winds that swept across the tight par-4 13th and long 16th, Kabasweka’s round came alive with a key par save on 17 and a birdie at the uphill 18th. Her 73 leapfrogged her into the lead by just one shot, setting up a final round showdown that had fans and fellow players buzzing.

Sunday brought not only heat and tougher pin placements but also a psychological duel between two of Uganda’s finest. On the short par-3 6th, Nakalembe faltered with a misjudged tee shot into a bunker, leading to a bogey. Kabasweka, ever composed, answered with a pure 8-iron to within five feet and calmly rolled in the birdie putt. From there, she managed the round with patience and purpose.

By the time the final group reached the 18th green, the outcome was clear. Kabasweka laid up smartly, pitched safely to the center of the green, and two-putted for par to clinch victory, defending her title with a three-day total of 222 (+6) and etching her name once more into the tournament’s growing legacy.

Final Leaderboard – Top 5