East Africa Golf Challenge:
29th – 31st August 2014
At Entebbe Golf Course
For the next three days, Entebbe Golf Course will be pre-occupied like a bee hive as Uganda hosts the East Africa Golf Challenge where 5 other nations – Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Ethiopia and the defending champions, Kenya will all take part.
The tournament official practice round will be on Thursday, 28th August before the thick of action tees off the following day at East Africa’s oldest and most tricky Golf course in Uganda.
Kawowo Sports’ David Isabirye looks at the profile nitty gritty for each of the 9 players on team Uganda and their coach – Amos Kamya, a golfing professional born in Entebbe but now based at Uganda Golf Club in Kampala.
Phillip Kasozi: H/C 00
Born 30 years ago, Kasozi won the Uganda Open in 2011.His experience and organizational abilities won him the captain status for the team.
Kasozi is blessed with that never give up attitude and his technical abilities to read the game for his charges will be key in Uganda’s quest to claim this championship on home soil.
The Uganda’s skipper will be caddied by Jackson Kabugo on the course.
Peter Ssendaula: H/C -1
The two time Uganda open winner in 2009 and 2013 boosts of a calm head while on the course, that he has lived to play on for the rest of his life since his caddy days.
Like the other home grown talents on the team (Lujjah and Oluba), Ssendaula born on 20th December 1983 to Peter Kimera and Rose Mary Namugambi, is very familiar with the Entebbe course – one that is regarded as the most tricky in the country.
Ronald Rugumayo Rwabwogo: H/C 00
Born on 12th December 1992 to John Rwabwogo and Bernadette Kajumba in Fort Portal, ‘Rugu’as the golfing fraternity call him is another senior member on this team having joined the national team 4 years ago.
The last born in the family of 9 boosts of a great chip with exceptional abilities to putt.
He will be caddied by Andrew Byaruhanga.
Robert ‘Par 3’ Happy: H/C 00
Nick named Par 3 for his diminutive structure, the Kasese based golfer is another quite experienced lad on the team having joined the national team in 2010.
He had his first earthly breathe on 1st May 1987. The first born of 4 from parents; John Badaki and Mary Nakyazi is another great putter on the greens.
Entebbe Artsian golfer, Davis Kato will be his Caddy.
Ronald ‘Rasta’ Bukenya: H/C 00
The Mehta club based golfer from Lugazi joined the national team in 2011. Blessed with an awesome approach shot to the greens, the first born of 5 was born to Francis and Margret Bukenya way back on 4th December 1983.
“I believe my putting has to be polished but I am more than ready to hit the course”, Bukenya, nick named Rasta says.
Vicent Kazzo will be his caddy.
Adolf Muhumuza: H/C +2
In the golfing family, he was christened the tag ‘Adolf Woods’ for his familiar playing style to the legendary world golf icon – Tiger Woods.
The Toro Club is one of the best off the tee shot with the driver.
Robert ‘Pablo Escobar’ Oluba: H/C 00
Another Entebbe born and bred product. Joined the national team in 2013. Another long hitter with the driver, Oluba’s game has graduated over the years.
He was born on 16th March in 1986 to Mr Valence Oluba and Alice Lamungu in Katabi, Entebbe.
He will be caddied by Nobert Onen.
Ronald Otile: +2
The youngest member on the team having being born on 22nd Septembe 1996 but has a two year playing experience with the national team.
Nick named ‘Sero’ for his aggressive approach on the course with the driver, Otile, another Toro Club product from Fort Portal is a great long hitter of the ball off the tee box.
His Caddie is Douglas Mugisha.
Henry Lujja: +1
Lujja knows each and every corner on the Entebbe Golf Course having served as an artisan for a long spell before his national team chance came calling.
His local knowledge of the troublesome course will be key to team Uganda. Another great player with a long drive.
Head Coach: Amos Kamya
If there is any composed member on the team Uganda rooster, it has got to be the head coach, Amos Kamya.
One of the 19 professionals under the Uganda Professional Golf Association, Kamya, a former caddy at Entebbe was born in Kirimamboga, in Entebbe Division A.
Ironically, Kamya, a former footballer is nick named ‘Effenberg’ after the legendary Germany footballer.
He won the Uganda Open as an amateur in 2006, having had a year long spell in a South African Golfing Academy.
He was head coach of the team that won the challenge in 2009, the last time Uganda hosted the event at Entebbe Club.
Success Team Uganda.