Peace Kabasweka (Captain)
Martha Babirye
Melon Kyomugisha
A team of three professional golfers will be on course starting tomorrow -5th Sept- representing Uganda at the All Africa Challenge Trophy at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club in Tanzania.
The team will be captained by Tooro Golf Club’s Peace Kabasweka under the stewardship of lady pro and former captain Irene Nakalembe.
Traveling as head coach for the ladies, Nakalembe says the team was carefully selected, so She trusts the girls to outdo themselves, adding that they have been in safe hands ever since she handed over to Peace as Captain.
“We have a very good vibrant team the girls have been in camp, we have done enough training, I trust the girls and we promise good results. Handing over the national team leadership to Peace means the team is in good hands.” Irene said.
To select a final team, two qualifiers were organized by the Uganda Ladies Golf Union (ULGU), one at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort, played in one round (18 holes), and the other qualifier happened on Thursday, 11th August at the Entebbe Golf Club, consisting of two rounds (36 holes), with Kabasweka landing top in both.
The selected team of three then had two and a half weeks of training, and according to Head Coach Nakalembe, focus was put on each player’s weakness and their ability to play as a team.
Among the drills were jogging, chipping and putting, long shots, driving range drills, plus 9-hole, and 18-hole rounds.
The best feat for Uganda at the ACCT was in 2018 when Eva Magala attained the best individual score for team Uganda to finish fourth at the Achimota Golf Club in Ghana.
Irene Nakalembe skippered the 2018 class that had Martha Babirye debut for her country and finish 15th overall out of over 54 golfers.
While in Ghana still, now team captain Peace Kabasweka put up a striking execution in the ACCT Supporters tournament, in the Ghana Ladies Open.
Melon Kyomugisha voyages with the team as a rookie, the rest having tasted the continental waters. Nakalembe reminds the girls to stay calm and do their best.
The team departed this morning -Sunday- aboard Uganda airlines who contributed one complimentary ticket and close to 15 discounted tickets for the contingent.
Team of Uganda will compise of Anne Abeja (President/Team Leader), Rita Akot Apell (Team Manager), Irene Nakalembe (Team Coach), Peace Kabasweka (Team Captain), Martha Babirye and Meron Kyomugisha.
Thirty-five Countries were expected to compete in this year’s AACT, but only 24 confirmed attendance, nearly doubling participants from the previous editions.
Confirmed nations are; Uganda, Nigeria, Botswana, Malawi, Togo, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Senegal, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Tunisia, Mali, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Gabon, Egypt, Sierra Leone, Cameroon and, hosts Tanzania.
The idea of the AACT was mooted by Tessa Covell, the then President of the Zambia Ladies Golf Union, with the reasoning that “none of the African countries were realistically able to compete in the World Championships, their golfing standards simply needed a home-grown training ground, rotating within the geographical area. (Source ULGU)
“We wish our team the best and give them all our support as they make ULGU proud and Uganda as well. We are also very grateful and proud for the strong partnership we enjoy with our sponsors, who have enabled us to travel and participate in the All Africa Challenge Trophy.” ULGU told the press
A fundraising tournament was held to gather monies that will support the team on the trip. Though the targeted 91 million shillings was not realized, ULGU’s President Anne Abeja confirmed the team is fully facilitated.
“Our sponsors and partners were categorized into Gold, Silver, bronze, and others. First and foremost appreciation to the Uganda Golf Club for availing the course at no fee and handing over all the green fees collection of the day.”
The Gold sponsors who contributed five million shillings include Housing Finance Bank, Britam Insurance, Equity Bank, and Uganda Development Bank.
Silver sponsors contributed two million and they are; Marsh Insurance Brokers Limited, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, and Stanbic Bank.
Bronze sponsors contributed one million and they include Ducks Team – Entebbe, NTV/ ABUL, Pinnacle Security, Kabalaza – Entebbe Club, Katogo – Entebbe Club, Kazo FM (Hon. John Nasasira), Ultra Document Centre, Peter Kasedde, Tooro Ladies Section, Rita Apell, Anne Abeja.
Other sponsors and partners include Crown Beverages Limited – Pepsi, Entebbe Ladies Section, RG Consult – Monique Seka, and Several individuals – Friends of the President.
