Overview:
The elite gross are vying for a total kitty of Ug.Shs 5,000,000 as the pros have Ug.Shs 27,000,000 to battle for.
Pearl Of Africa Golf Series 2026 (Gross)
Top 10 after 2 rounds (36 Holes):
- Leader: Joseph Cwinya-ai – 68, 67 (135)
- 2nd: Andrew Ssekibejja – 73, 70 (143)
- T3: Abdallah Kakooza – 72, 72 (144)
- T3: Shaka Kariisa – 73, 71 (144)
- T5: Joseph Kasozi – 74, 72 (146)
- T5: Godfrey Kambale – 74, 72 (146)
- T5: Juma Abiti – 78, 68 (146)
- T8: Martha Babirye – 71, 76 (147)
- T8: Elton Thembo – 72, 75 (147)
- T8: Dominic Musoke – 72, 75 (147)
An hour after the gross players had teed off during round two of the Pearl Of Africa (POA) Golf Series in Entebbe, the heavens set loose with a heavy downpour.
The rain lasted for about 30 minutes before the action resumed. Overnight leader in the elite gross category, Joseph Cwinya-ai playing with Martha Babirye and Elton Thembo in the main pressure group teed off moments later.
Upon completing round two, Cwinya-ai was 4-under-67 on the day; and over all stood at 7-under.
He dubbed the rains before action as a complete blessing in disguise.
“The rains made the greens more softer and they were responding to my wedge approach shots. It was a blessing in disguise” he spoke after the round where he recorded 6 birdies, 10 pars and 2 bogies.
Ironically, the two bogies Cwinya-ai registered came on the Entebbe course’s dog-legged par-4 holes 4 and 17.
Hole 17 at Entebbe club is christened as the Deo Akope Challenge, for the long history and troubles to professional legend, Akope.
“As I teed off hole 17, I recalled how I lost the 2024 Uganda Amateur Open title on that particular hole. The memories disorganized me and I ended up messing” he recounted with bitterness.
Cwinya-ai started the day brightly with a birdie on the par-5 hole 1 and two successive pars on 2 and 3.
Then came the bogie on the dog-leg par-4 hole 4. He fired up with three consecutive birdies on holes 5, 6 and 7. He parred the tricky par-3 hole 8 and ended the front course with a level score on par-4 hole 9.
He crossed to the back nine with excitement; scoring par scores on 10, 11 and 12 before another birdie on 13. In the last five holes, he got three pars on 14, 15 and 16 with a bogie on the 17 and summarized the Holy Thursday with a birdie on the par-5 hole 18.
Target ahead of final round:
Cwinya-ai is definitely out of sight from the rest of the pack; but still harbors personal ambitions; to hit double figures with under-scores.
“This is more literally than done” he bragged. “It’s me competing against my own self. Though I have a target now; to end the tournament with a double digit under score after the three rounds” Cwinya-ai who is caddied by a female, Hadijah Nampijja states.
Former Uganda Amateur Open champion Andrew Ssekibejja is second on the leaderboard with +1 overall having scored 1-under during round two.
Abdullah Kakooza and teenager Shaka Kariisa are joint third with +2 (144) as Joseph Kasozi, Godfrey Kambale and Juma Abiti are jointly tied in fifth position with +4 (146).
Martha Babirye is the best leader, jointly tied in 8th place with Elton Thembo and Dominic Musoke (147).
The elite gross golfers conclude their championship on Good Friday.
Meanwhile, Grace Kasango leads the professionals’ wing with 4-under-67. He is three strokes better than the duo of Davis Kato and Ronald Rugumayo (70).
The professionals will wind business on Holy Saturday, on the same day as the subsidiary golfers.
The elite gross are vying for a total kitty of Ug.Shs 5,000,000 as the pros have Ug.Shs 27,000,000 to battle for.
Winners in 2025:
Michael Tumusiime won the Entebbe leg; John Musiimenta smiled on the podium as champion at Uganda Golf Club whilst Joseph Kasozi was triumphant in Lugazi for the amateurs.
For the professional events, Marvin Max Kibirige won in Kampala, Herman Mutebi (Entebbe) and Rugumayo (Lugazi).
Exim Bank, Uganda Golf Union (UGU), Vivo Energy, Aquafina, Home Bliss, MTN and Case Medical Services, among others lead the cast of partners.
