The 2024 Captain’s Bell golf tournament, held at Uganda Golf Club in Kitante, saw a grand weekend of golfing excellence and the ushering in of new leadership, with Paul Charles Rukundo and Jerry Owachi becoming the Captain and Vice Captain respectively.
Over 220 golfers, both professional and amateur, participated in the event, which featured an exhilarating 19-hole experience. This year marked the sixth year of Absa Bank’s sponsorship of the tournament.
Absa Bank, continuing its support, doubled the cash prizes this year, allocating a total of UGX 20 million for the professional golfers. This increased prize pool underscores Absa’s dedication to nurturing top golfing talent and enhancing the competitiveness of the sport.
Perez Muhwezi, with 41 points, and Rose Azuba, with 37 points on countback, were the overall winners in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively. Ronald Rugumayo emerged as the top professional, taking home UGX 10 million out of the total UGX 20 million prize money, while the remaining UGX 10 million was distributed among eleven other professional golfers.
Rugumayo achieved a remarkable 7-under par after three rounds on the par-72 course, finishing five shots ahead of David Kamulindwa and six ahead of Gaita Rodell, who placed second and third, respectively.
At the prize-giving ceremony, Absa Bank’s Managing Director expressed pride in supporting the tournament and emphasized the bank’s commitment to fostering community and excellence in golf. “For Absa, the Captain’s Bell Tournament is not just about competition but also about community. We are thrilled to continue our partnership, which aligns perfectly with our mission to empower Africa’s future. The increased prize money demonstrates our dedication to enhancing the experience for all participants,” he stated.
Newly appointed Captain Paul Charles Rukundo highlighted his commitment to the growth of the sport and its players. “For over 70 years, the Captain’s Bell tournament has brought together exceptional players and friends. Our community has thrived, thanks in large part to partners like Absa Bank Uganda, whose support has been vital in advancing the sport of golf in Uganda,” he remarked.
Rukundo also expressed his belief in the transformative power of such events for Ugandan golfers on the international stage. Absa’s Head of Marketing, Mumba, echoed this sentiment, adding, “We believe every story matters, and by supporting the Captain’s Bell Tournament and the Uganda Golf Club, we are contributing to the story of golf in Uganda.”
State Minister for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, attended the event and announced that the government would allocate Sh2.5 billion starting next financial year to improve golf facilities in Uganda, further boosting the sport’s development.
