Kigali Golf Club Triumphs in I&M Bank Katogo Cross-Border Golf Series
Kigali Golf Club emerged victorious against Uganda’s Entebbe Golf Club during the second leg of the I&M Bank Katogo cross-border Golf Series held at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, Nyarutarama on November 8. The event was organized in partnership with I&M Bank Rwanda and I&M Bank Uganda. With a total of 264 golfers participating, the tournament celebrated not only competition but also regional friendship and the growing East African golfing fraternity.
The 2025 Kigali edition follows last year’s inaugural event at Kenya’s Limuru Country Club, themed “The Virunga Challenge.” This theme highlights the friendly rivalry between Rwanda and Uganda over the Virunga Massif, home to the famous mountain gorillas. The event has become a significant platform for fostering connections among golfers from across the region.
A Celebration of Friendship and Sport
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. This gathering brings together players from Rwanda and Uganda, creating a vibrant atmosphere of camaraderie and competition.
Iddy Rugamba, the Chief Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary at I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc, praised the passion and commitment shown by the golfers from the Katogo Golf community during the Kigali edition. He emphasized that the event embodies the spirit of togetherness and unity through the game of golf. “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.”
Rugamba also shared exciting news about the future of the series, stating that I&M Bank will be launching its 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.
Results and Recognition
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.
Growth of the Golfing Fraternity
Katogo Captain Elly Mukasa expressed his delight at 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.
He thanked the partners, led by the title sponsor I&M Bank, for enabling the event to reach such heights. “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.
Commitment to Innovation and Excellence
According to Annette Nakiyaga, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at I&M Bank, the progressive growth of the I&M Bank Katogo Golf Series reflects the bank’s commitment to innovation and excellence in sports partnerships. “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.
Nakiyaga highlighted the significance of the series in strengthening the camaraderie between the Ugandan and Rwandan golf communities, as well as showcasing I&M Bank’s regional presence and commitment to connecting people through sport.
Sponsors and Participants
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.
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)
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)