Africa-Press – Rwanda. Kigali Golf Club emerged victorious against Uganda’s Entebbe Golf Club during the second leg of I&M Bank Katogo cross-border Golf Series held at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, Nyarutarama on November 8. It was organized in partnership with I&M Bank Rwanda and I&M Bank Uganda.
The golf event, which brought together a total of 264 golfers, celebrated not just competition, but regional friendship, and the growing East African golfing fraternity.
The 2025 Kigali edition follows last year’s inaugural edition at Kenya’s Limuru Country Club, themed “The Virunga Challenge,” which highlights the friendly rivalry between Rwanda and Uganda over the Virunga Massif, home to the famous mountain gorillas.
HAPPENING: Kigali Golf Club is currently hosting 80 golfers from Uganda’s Entebbe Golf Club for the second cross-border leg of the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series bringing together players from Rwanda and Uganda.
Iddy Rugamba, the Chief Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary, I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc lauded the passion and commitment shown by golfers from Katogo Golf community during the Kigali edition.
Iddy Rugamba, the Chief Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary, I&M Bank (Rwanda), speaks at the awarding ceremony.
“This event embodies the spirit of togetherness. One I&M Bank, one people united by the great game of golf,” he said.
Rugamba explained that the occasion was more than just a tournament but a celebration of friendship, sport, and connection across borders.
“We trust this weekend offered you the chance to meet and connect with Rwandan golfers,” he said. “We look forward to seeing many of you return not just for golf, but also to explore business and investment opportunities in Rwanda. I&M Bank is ready to help you achieve these goals.”
“Inspired by this energy, I’m happy to share that we’ll be launching our very own golf tournament next year. We hope to see all of you back here swinging, laughing, and growing this incredible East African golf family,” he added.
With a total of 759 points scored overall, Kigali narrowly edged out Entebbe whose team scored 701 points.
The awarding ceremony marked the conclusion of the series, with winners recognized in categories such as Nearest to the Pin, Longest Drive, and the Top 20 Scores for each team.
Notable individual winners included Maxi Byenkya (Nearest to the Pin, women), Benjamin Manzi (Nearest to the Pin, men), Sylvie Irakoze (Longest Drive, women), and Benjamin Mukisa (Longest Drive, men).
In the overall categories, Lee Josephine topped the ladies’ leaderboard with 37 points, while Januario Mucyo led the men with 40 points. Diane Mukunde, I&M Bank Rwanda’s Corporate Banking Sales Lead was rewarded as the best I&M Bank staff.
Katogo Captain Elly Mukasa also expressed his delight for the growth of the fraternity between Entebbe Golf Club and Kigali Golf Club which is home to 2025 Johnnie Walker Uganda Professionals Golf Open champion Celestin Nsanzuwera.
“Last year’s cross-border event in Limuru really opened doors for us and positioned the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series as one of the biggest golf series in Uganda, and now the region,” noted Mukasa.
“We thank our partners, led by the title sponsor I&M Bank, for enabling us to reach such heights,”
Some participants pose for a photo before the game
“We thank our travel partner- Rwanda Air, for making it very affordable and convenient for the Uganda team to travel for this trip. But beyond competition, cross-border sports tournaments promote regional integration, and present new opportunities for the golfing fraternity,” he added.
According to Annette Nakiyaga, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at I&M Bank, the progressive growth of I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series reflects the bank’s commitment to innovation and excellence in regards to sports partnerships.
The 2025 competition organized in partnership with I&M Bank Rwanda and I&M Bank Uganda.
“The I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series is one of the few golf tournaments in Uganda that has managed to extend its footprint beyond the country’s borders, and that’s truly remarkable progress,” she said. “This is a reflection of how far the series has come and the passion of the golfers who make it what it is. We believe the best is yet to come.”
“I believe it will strengthen the camaraderie between the Ugandan and Rwandan golf communities, as well as showcase I&M Bank’s regional presence and commitment to connecting people through sport,” she added.
The 2025 golf edition was supported by sponsors including Johnnie Walker, Victoria Motors, GA Insurance, RwandAir, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, Kampala Serena Hotel, Fenon Events, Goldman’s Luxury, NBS Sport, Case Hospital, and Time Cop Security.
Who stood out in the top 20 Scores?
Kigali Golf Club: Theogene Habumuremyi (42), Darlington Kabatende (42), Pearl Karungi (40), Innocent Rutamu (40), Januario Mucyo (40), Sunday Kabarebe (40), Gitau Wamukui (38), Nkurunziza Andrew (38), Eve Tushabe Muvunyi (37), Arthur Byabagambi (37), Ras Tinyinondi (37), Alfred Ndabarasa (37), Sibo Gahakwa (37), Stephen Njeru (37), Lee Josephine (37), Godfrey Gaga (36), Wuver Emmanuel (36), Kristofer Erkson (36), Johnson Kangethe (36), Ann Sinom (36) — total, 759 points.
Entebbe Golf Club: Michelle Kijjambu (39), Serwano Warusimbi (39), Elly Mukasa (38), Harry Hakiza (36), David Obali (36), Ocean Milton (36), Lloyd Busuulwa (36), Samuel Haastrup (35), Odere Charles (35), Laoye Oyeniyi (35), Odido Maria (34), Isaac Nsereko (34), Emmanuel Kayitare (34), Michael Nimoh (34), Steven Kitamine (34), Dennis Tela (34), Kin Kariisa (33), Antonio Di Fonzo (33), Philip Kazibwe (33), Luxembourg Abas (33) — total, 701 points.
The 2025 Kigali edition held under the theme “The Virunga Challenge,”
The 2025 Kigali edition held under the theme “The Virunga Challenge,”
The two day-golf event brought together a total of 264 golfers.
For More News And Analysis About Rwanda Follow Africa-Press
